CONDITIONS 

AND 

PROGRESS 

OF 

EDUCATION 

IN 

LOUISIANA 



rock 
GARDENS 




LOUISIANA STATE COMMISSION 

j* OF ^ 

LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION 

ST. LOUIS, MO. 



Governor WILLIAM WRIGHT HEARD, President. 
Major JORDAN GRAY LEE, Baton Rouge, La. 
Col. CHARLES SCHULER, - - . Keachle, La. 
Gen. I. M. LEVERT, - - New Orleans, La. 
Hon. HENRY L. GUEYDAN, Gueydan, La. 

Dr. WILLIAM CARTER STUBBS, ROBERT GLENK, 

State Commissioner. <Asslstant to State Commissioner. 

Don't fail to see the Louisiana State Building, a replica of the Cabildo, in which the 
transfer of Louisiana took place in 1803. 

See also Louisiana's exhibit in the following buildings: Agriculture, Horticulture, 

Education, Forestry, Fish and Game, Mines and Minerals, Liberal Arts, 

Transportation and Anthropology. 



THE STATE OF LOUISIANA IS MAKING THE FOLLOWING DISPLAY 
AT THE WORLD'S FAIR, ST. LOUIS : 



1st. Louisiana State Building — An 
*xact reproduction of the "Cabildo" ot 
New Orleans in which the actual trans- 
fer of Louisiana from France to the 
United States on December 20th, 1803, 
took place. Tt is furnished throughout 
with furniture of the Empire and Colo- 
nial styles. 

2nd. A grand display of agriculture 
in the Agricultural Palace, showing the 
products of Hip field and the machinery 
by which they are wrought into mer- 
chantable forms. A complete sugar house, 
a rice mill, an irrigation plant, cotton 
gins and presses, cot tun seed oil mill, 
etc. arc shown in perfect terms on a 
reduced scale. Forage and garden crops : 
tobacco (yellow leaf, cigar leaf and 
cigars, and the famous Perique in all of 
its forms! ; fibre plants and products; 
grains, grasses, clovers, alfalfa, etc., are 
shown in profusion. 

3rd. A line display of fruits and 
plants In the Horticultural Building — 



on the floor of the main building and in 
the conservatory. In this display will 
be found tin- best collection of the finest 
pecans grown. 

■4th In the Forestry Building will be 
found all the trees of her forest, and the 
products manufactured from them. 

5th. lu I be Forestry Building, but ou 
a different space, will also be found all 
of the birds, tishes and wild animals of 
the Si, He. 

6th. In the Education Building will 
be found the school exhibits of the 
State, from ths kindergarten to the uni- 
versities. 

7th. In the Mines and Minerals Build- 
ing, the "Devil in sulphur." a "Pyramid 
in sulphur," Lot's Wife in salt, crude 
and refined petroleums, marbles, -coal, 
etc., fresh from the mines of Louisiana, 
are exhibited. 

Nth. In the Liberal Arts Building will 
be fuund topographic maps of the levees 
of the State (30 ft. by 4 ft.), New Or- 



leans of 1803 (2 ft. by 2 ft.), and New 
i nl. mis of 1903 (15 ft. by 15 ft.). Two 
hundred maps of the Gulf Coast from 
1500 to the present time, some rare old 
books, and a working model of the great 
United States Dock in New Orleans. 

0th. In the Transportation Building 
are illustrations of transportation on the 
Mississippi Kiver, past and present, be- 
-inning with the Indian canoe and end- 
ing with the monster ocean liner of to- 
day. 

Kith. In the Anthropological Build- 
ing is a line collection of Indian relics, 
including a. number of baskets of rare 
and beautiful types 

Descriptive pamphlets of each exhibit 
may be had on application. For fuller 
information of the state, apply at the 
Louisiana State Building for "Handbook 
of Louisiana." Louisiana has a fully 
equipped Department of Agriculture and 
Immigration, which will cheerfully sup- 
ply any information desired. 



Apply to MAJOR '• G. LEE, Commissioner of Agriculture and Immigration, Baton Rouge, La. 

and your wants will be filled. 

J W 10 1905 
O.cfD, > 



Education in Louisiana* 

PHIS pamphlet has been prepared by Prof. 
Brown Ayres, of Tulane University, and gives a 
concise statement of the conditions and progress 
of education in Louisiana. 



Extract from State Constitution of 1S9S, Regarding Public Education. 



PUBLIC EDUCATION. 

"Art. 24S. There shall be free public schools for the 
white and colored races, separately established by the 
General Assembly, throughout the State, for the educa- 
tion of all the children of the State between the ages 
of six and eighteen years; provided, that where kinder- 
garten schools exist, children between the ages of four 
and six may be admitted into said schools. All funds 
raised by the State for the support of public schools, ex- 
cept the poll-tax. shall be distributed to each parish in 
proportion to the number of children therein between the 
ages of six and eighteen years. The General Assembly 
at its next session shall provide for the enumeration of 
educable children." 

"Art. 249. There shall be elected by the qualified elect- 
ors of the State a Superintendent of Public Education, 
who shall hold this office for the term of four years and 
until his successor is qualified. His duties shall be pre- 
scribed by law, and he shall receive an annual salary of 
two thousand dollars. The aggregate annual expenses 
of his office, including his salary, shall not exceed the 
sum of four thousand dollars." 

"Art. 250. The General Assembly shall provide for Lhe 
creation of a State Board and Parish Boards of Public 
Education. The Parish Boards shall elect a Parish Su- 
perintendent of Public Education for their respective 
parishes, whose qualifications shall be fixed by the Legis- 
lature, and who shall be ex-officio secretary of the Parish 
Board. The salary of the Parish Superintendent shall 
be provided for by the General Assembly, to be paid out 
of the public school fund accruing to the respective par- 
ishes." 



"Art. 251. The general exercises in the public schools 
shall be conducted in the English language; provided, 
that the French language may be taught in those par- 
ishes or localities where the French language predomi- 
nates, if no additional expense is incurred thereby." 

"Art. 252. The funds derived from the collection of 
the poll tax shall be applied exclusively to the mainten- 
ance of the public schools as organized under this Con- 
stitution, and shall be applied exclusively to the support 
of the public schools in the parish in which the same 
shall be collected, and shall be accounted for and paid 
by the collecting officer directly to the treasurer of the 
local school board." 

"Art. 253. No funds raised for the support of the pub- 
lic schools of the State shall be appropriated to or used 
for the support of any private or sectarian schools." 

"Art. 254. The school funds of the State shall consist 
of: First, not less than one and one-quarter mills of the 
six mills tax levied and collected by the State; second, 
the proceeds of taxation for school purposes as provided 
by this Constitution; third, the interest on the proceeds 
of all public land heretofore granted or to be granted 
by the United States for the support of the public schools, 
and the revenue derived from such lands as may still 
remain unsold; fourth, of lands and other property here- 
tofore or hereafter bequeathed, granted or donated to the 
State for school purposes; fifth, all funds and property, 
other than unimproved lands, bequeathed or granted to 
the State, not designated for any other purpose; sixth, 
the proceeds of vacant estates falling under the law to 
the State of Louisiana; seventh, the Legislature may 
appropriate to the same fund the proceeds of public 



lands not designated or set apart for any other purpose, 
and shall provide that every parish may levy a tax tor 
the public schools therein, which shall not exceed the 
entire State tax; provided, that with such a tax the whole 
amount of parish taxes shall not exceed the limits of 
parish taxation fixed by this Constitution. The City 
of New Orleans shall make such appropriation for the 
support, maintenance and repair of the public schools of 
said city as it may deem proper, but not less than eight- 
tenths of one mill for any one year; and said schools 
shall also continue to receive from the Board of Liquida- 
tion of the City Debt the amounts to which they are now 
entitled under the Constitutional Amendment adopted in 
the' year 1892." 

"Art. 255. The Louisiana State University and Agri- 
cultural and Mechanical College, founded upon the land 
grants of the United States to endow a seminary of learn- 
ing and a college for the benefit of agriculture and the 
mechanic arts, now established and located in the City 
of Baton Rouge, is hereby recognized; and all revenues 
derived and to be derived from the Seminary fund, the 
Agricultural and Mechanical College fund, and other 
funds or lands donated or to be donated by the United 
States to the State of Louisiana for the use of a semin- 
ary of learning or of a college for the benefit of agricul- 
ture or the mechanic arts, shall be appropriated exclu- 
sively to the maintenance and support of said Louisiana 
State University and Agricultural and Mechanical Col- 
lege; and the General Assembly shall make such addi- 
tional appropriations as may be necessary for its main- 
tenance, support and improvement, and for the establish- 
ment, in connection with said institution, of such addi- 
tional scientific or literary departments as the public 
necessities and the well-being of the people of Louisiana 
may require; provided, that the appropriation shall not 



exceed fifteen thousand dollars per annum for its main- 
tenance and support." 

"The Tulane University of Louisiana, located in New 
Orleans, is hereby recognized as created and to be de- 
veloped in accordance with the provisions of the legisla- 
tive act, No. 43, approved July 5, 1884, and by approval 
of the electors, made part of the Constitution of the 
State." 

"Art. 256. The Louisiana State Normal School, estab- 
lished and located at Natchitoches; the Industrial Insti- 
tute and College of Louisiana, whose name is hereby 
changed to the Louisiana Industrial Institute, established 
and located at Ruston, and the Southern University, now 
established in the City of New Orleans, for the education 
of persons of color, are hereby recognized, and the Gen- 
eral Assembly is directed to make such appropriations 
from time to time as may be necessary for the mainten- 
ance, support and improvement of these institutions; 
provided, that the appropriation for the maintenance 
and support of the Louisiana Industrial Institute shall 
not exceed fifteen thousand dollars per annum, and that 
for the Southern University shall not exceed ten thou- 
sand." 

"Arl. 257. The debt due by the State to the free school 
fund is hereby declared to be the sum of one million one 
hundred and thirty thousand eight hundred and sixty- 
seven dollars and fifty-one cents in principal, and shall be 
kept on the books of the Auditor and Treasurer to the 
credit of the several townships entitled to the same;- 
the said principal being the proceeds of the sales of lands 
heretofore granted by the United States for the use and 
support of free public schools, which amount shall be 
held by the State as a loan, and shall be and remain a 
perpetual fund, on which the State shall pay an annual 
interest of four per cent, and that said interest shall 



be paid to the several townships in the State entitled to 
the same, in accordance with the Act of Congress, No. 68, 
approved February 15th, 1843." 

"Art. 258. The debt due by the State to the seminary 
fund is hereby declared to be one hundred and thirty-six 
thousand dollars, being the proceeds of the sale of lands 
heretofore granted by the United States to this State for 
the use of a seminary of learning, and said amount shall 
be kept to the credit of said fund on the books of the 
Auditor and Treasurer of the State as a perpetual loan, 
and the State shall pay an annual interest of four per 
cent, on said amount." 

"Art. 259. The debt due by the State to the Agricul- 
tural and Mechanical College fund is hereby declared to 
be the sum of one hundred and eighty-two thousand three 
hundred and thirteen dollars and three cents, being the 
proceeds of the sale of lands and land scrip heretofore 
granted by the United States to this State for the use 
of a college for the benefit of agricultural and mechan- 
ical arts; and said amount shall be kept to the credit of 
said fund on the books of the Auditor and Treasurer of 
the State as a perpetual loan, and the State shall pay 
an annual interest of five per cent, on said amount." 

"Art. 260. The interest due on the free school fund, 
the seminary fund and the Agricultural and Mechanical 
College fund, shall be paid out of a tax that may be 
levied and collected for the payment of the interest on 
the State debt." 

"Art. 261. All pupils in the primary grades in the 



public schools throughout the Parish of Orleans, unable 
to provide themselves with the requisite books, an affi- 
davit to that effect having been made by one of the par- 
ents of such pupils, or if such parents be dead, then by 
the tutor or other person in charge of such pupils, shall 
be furnished with the necessary books, free of expense, 
to be paid for out of the school fund of said parish; and 
the School Board of the Parish of Orleans is hereby di- 
rected to appropriate annually not less than two thou- 
sand dollars for the purpose named, provided such 
amount be needed." 

Since the adoption of the above Constitution of 1898, 
the General Assembly of Louisiana, by Act 162 of the 
session of 1S9S, has established the "Southwestern Lou- 
isiana Industrial Institute," located at Lafayette. The 
first session opened September IS, 1901. 

"Under the impulse given by the new Constitution of 
Louisiana, the school system of the State has made as- 
tonishing progress within a few years. Excellent school 
houses have been built, and many more are now build- 
ing; special school taxes (prohibited by the former Con- 
stitution) have been voted by towns, wards, districts and 
entire parishes; skilled supervision has been made pos- 
sible by the removal of the restriction upon salary of 
Parish Superintendents; modern text-books have been 
placed in all the schools by the State Board of Educa- 
tion; and the General Assembly (July, 1902) has made 
the largest appropriation for the public school fund ever 
made by any Southern State — $450,000 a year." 



Extract from Message to Legislature, 1904, by the Retiring Governor, 

Wm. W. Heard. 



PUBLIC EDUCATION. 

"There can be no doubt that the department of the 
State government nearest the popular heart is that of 
Public Education." 

"There has been a general awakening in Louisiana 
upon this subject. It finds expression in the zeal and 
energy displaj'ed by local, district and State organiza- 
tions toward the betterment of the school system and 
in the efforts and desire of those charged with the ad- 
ministration of public affairs to augment and increase, 
as much as possible, the funds for school purposes." 

"Going back two decades, we find that in 1883 the total 
State enrollment in the public schools was only 59,491. 
In 1902 this number had increased to 192,420, and last 
year was still further increased by 16,511, making a total 
for 1903 of 208,937, and for the current year a similar 
gratifying improvement will probably be shown. The 
increase in the number of school houses, in the number 
of teachers and in the funds for school purposes have 
increased in like proportion." 

"Including balances the amounts from police juries, 
corporation taxes and all other sources of revenue, the 
increase to the funds for the support of the common 



schools as applied in 1903, over those of 1902, was $191,- 
962." 

"I am gratified also to be able to say that both the 
professional standing and compensation paid teachers 
have been raised. The secona and third grade certifi- 
cates, except in the colored schools, have become almost, 
or quite worthless, as testimonials upon which to secure 
employment in the branch of the service. This result 
has been largely brought about by the efficient work 
of the preparatory schools for teachers, and the number 
and quality of male and female teachers sent out by 
these schools." 

"The average salary of the white male teachers is 
$42.50, female $33.25, both of which are improvements 
upon former allowances and yet they are not adequate 
compensation for those who require so high a degree of 
proficiency, and to whom we entrust, not only the educa- 
tion of our youth, but the formation of their characters." 

The newly elected Governor, Judge Newton C. Blan- 
chard, has in his inaugural message, indicated that the 
educational interests of the State will be his first care; 
and has proposed the issuance of one million dollars of 
bonds for the building of school houses throughout the 
State. The Legislature meeting this year (1904) will 
probably adopt his suggestion. 



Extracts from State School Law. 

(Adopted by Regular Session of the Genebax Assembly, 1902.) 



"Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of 
the State of Louisiana, That the Governor, Superintend- 
ent of Public Education, and the Attorney General, to- 
gether with seven citizens appointed by the Governor, 
one from each Congressional District of the State, shall 
be a body politic and corporate by the name and style 
of the Board of Education for the State of Louisiana, 
with authority to sue and defend suits in all matters re- 
lating to the public schools." 

"Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, etc., That the Governor 
shall be ex-officio the President, and the State Superin- 
tendent, Secretary." 

"Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, etc., That the State 
Board of Education shall appoint for each parish in the 
State, except the Parish of Orleans, a Board of School 
Directors consisting of not less than one member for 
each ward in the parish, provided that no parish shall 
have less than five directors. They shall be citizens of 
the parish possessed of the requisite scholastic and moral 
qualifications for their important office. The Governor 
shall issue a commission to each of said directors. The 
State Board of Education shall prepare rules, by-laws 
and regulations for the government of the public schools 
of the State, which shall be enforced by the parish Su- 
perintendents and the several school boards, and shall 
give such directions as it may see proper as to the 
branches of study which shall be taught. The State 
Board shall strictly enforce a uniformity of text books 
in all the public schools, and shall adopt a list thereof, 
which shall remain unchanged for four years after such 
adoption. For satisfactory reasons shown to said Board, 



it may change said list or adopt a list generally pre- 
ferred by teachers and parents in certain localities, 
maintaining as far as possible a uniformity of text books, 
and without placing parents and guardians to further 
expense. The adoption of such list and apparatus shall 
be by contract to the lowest bidder subject to the change 
aforesaid, and to the best advantage as to cost to pupils." 

"Sec. 5. Be it further enacted, etc., That the term of 
office of the members of the parish school boards and of 
the parish superintendents shall be for four years from 
the time of their appointment." 

"Sec. 7. Be it further enacted, etc., That the several 
school boards are constituted bodies corporate, with 
power to sue and be sued under the name and style of 

the 'Parish Board of Directors of the parish of ,' 

as the case may be. Citations shall be served on the 
President of the Board." 

"Sec. 8. Be it further enacted, etc., That the parish 
boards of directors shall elect from among their number 
a President. They shall elect or appoint for a term of 
four years a parish Superintendent, who shall be ex- 
officio Secretary of the board. He shall be a person of 
high moral character, recognised executive ability, and 
possessed of the educational qualifications required for 
examining applicants for certificates of qualifications to 
teach in all grades of the public schools, and to examine 
pupils in all the different grades, so as to make a reliable 
report thereof to his parish board, and the State Super- 
intendent, or the State Board of Education, according to 
law. The parish board of directors shall report to the 
State Board of Education all deficiencies in the schools. 



or neglect of duty on the part of teachers, Superintend- 
ent or other officer." 

"Sec. 11. Be it further enacted, etc., That the parish 
school board shall have authority to establish graded 
schools, and to adopt such a system in that connection 
as may be necessary to assure their success; central or 
high schools may be established when necessary. The 
ordinances establishing such schools adopted by the 
parish school boards shall be submitted to the State 
Board of Education, and no high school shall be opened 
without its sanction; and no such school shall be estab- 
lished unless the amount be donated for the site, and 
suitable buildings are provided for without any expense 
out of the school fund; provided, that the board of direc- 
tors of the parish of Orleans shall not require the sanc- 
tion of the State Board for the purposes aforesaid." 

"Sec. 13. Be it further enacted, etc., That no school 
of less than ten pupils shall be opened or maintained in 
any locality." 

"Sec. 14. Be it further enacted, etc., That the parish 
boards of directors of the several parishes of this State 
are prohibited from entering into any contract, agree- 
ment, understanding, or combination, tacitly or expressly, 
directly or indirectly, with any church, monastic or other 
religious order or association of any religious sect or 
denomination whatsoever, or with the representatives 
thereof, for the purpose of running any public school or 
schools of this State, together or in connection or in 
combination with any private or parochial school, or 
ether institution of learning which may be under the 
control, authority, supervision, administration or man- 
agement of any church, monastic or other religious order 
or association of any religious sect or denomination 
whatsoever." 

"Sec. 15. Be it further enacted, etc., That it shall be 



the duty of the parish board with the parish superin- 
tendent to divide the parish into school districts of such 
proper and convenient area and shape as will best ac- 
commodate the children of the parish." 

"Sec. 18. Be it further enacted, etc., That whenever 
one-third of the property taxpayers of any one parish, 
municipality, ward, or school district in this State shall 
petition the police jury of such parish, or the municipal 
authorities of such municipality, to levy a special tax 
for the support of public schools and for the purpose 
of erecting and constructing public school houses, the 
title to which shall be in the public, the said police jury, 
or municipal authorities shall order a special election 
for that purpose and shall submit to the property tax- 
payers of each parish, municipality, ward or school dis- 
trict, the rate of taxation, the number of years it is to 
be levied and the purposes for which it is intended; pro- 
vided, that such election be held under the general elec- 
tion laws of the State, and at the polling places at which 
the last preceding general election was held, and not 
sooner than thirty days after the official publication of 
the petition and ordinance ordering the election." 

"Sec. 19. Be it further enacted, etc., That the petition 
mentioned in Section 18 of this act shall be in writing, 
and shall designate the object and amount of tax to be 
levied each year, and the number of years during which 
it shall be levied." 

"Sec. 20. Be it further enacted, etc., That if a major- 
ity in number and value of the property taxpayers of 
such parish, municipality, ward or school district voting 
at such election, shall vote in favor of such levy of said 
special tax, then the police jury, on behalf of such parish, 
ward or school district, or the municipal authorities, 
the authorities for and on behalf of such municipality, 
shall immediately pass an ordinance levying such tax. 



and for such time as may have been specified in the 
petition, and shall designate the year in which such 
taxes shall be levied and collected." 

"Sec. 21. Be it further enacted, etc., That all tax- 
payers voting at said election shall be registered voters, 
except women taxpayers, who shall vote without regis- 
tration. All taxpayers entitled to vote shall do so in 
person, except women, who shall vote either in person 
or by their agents, authorized in writing." 

"Sec 22. Be it further enacted, etc., That the police 
jury of any parish, ward or school district, or the mu- 
nicipal authorities of any municipality, shall, when the 
vote is in favor of the levy of such taxes, levy and collect 
annually, in addition to other taxes, a tax upon all taxa- 
ble property within such parish, municipality, ward or 
school district, sufficient to pay the amount specified to 
be paid in such petition, and such police jury and author- 
ities shall have the same right to enforce and collect any 
special tax that may be authorized by such election, as is 
or may be conferred by law upon them for the collection 
of other taxes, which taxes so collected shall be used for 
the purpose named in said petition, and in the case of 
a tax being named for the support of a public school, 
or for the purpose of erecting a public school house, the 
same shall from time to time, as the same is collected, 
be paid to the board of school directors of the parish in 
which said tax is levied, and be used for the purpose 
stated in the petition." 

"Sec. 23. Be it further enacted, etc., That the branches 
of orthography, reading, writing, drawing, arithmetic, 
geography, grammar. United States history, the laws of 
health, including the evil effects of alcohol and narcotics, 
shall be taught in every district. In addition to these, 
such other branches shall be taught as the State Board 
of Education and the parish school boards may require; 



provided, that these elementary branches may also be 
taught in the French fenguage in those localities where 
the French language is spoken; but no additional ex- 
pense shall be incurred for this cause. No public school 
in the State shall be opened later than 9 a. m. or closed 
earlier than 3 p. m.; this shall not be construed so as 
to prevent half-day sessions where the school accommoda- 
tions are insufficient for all the pupils of the district in 
a whole day session. Nor shall it interfere with any 
arrangement made for the conduct of the Kindergarten 
Schools; provided, that in the parish of Orleans the 
board of school directors may fix the hours of session 
of the public schools." 

State Superintendent of Public Education. 

"Sec. 28. Be it further enacted, etc., That the State 
Superintendent of Public Education shall have general 
supervision of all parish school boards in the parishes, 
and of all common, high and normal schools of the State, 
and shall see that the school system of the State is car- 
ried properly into effect. He shall be ex-officio a member 
of the board of supervisors of the State University and 
Agricultural and Mechanical College, the State Normal 
School, the State Industrial School at Ruston, the State 
Industrial School at Lafayette, The Institute for the 
Deaf and Dumb, the State Institute for the Blind, the 
Southern University, and of all other institutions of 
learning under the control of the State or aided in whole 
or in part by the State." 

Parish Superintendent. 

"Sec. 35. Be it further enacted, etc., That the parish 
directors shall elect for the term of four years, a parish 
school superintendent who shall be ex-officio secretary 
of the parish school board in each parish of the State, 
the parish of Orleans excepted, and who shall be pos- 



sessed of mora! character, scholarly training, and admin- 
istrative ability to manage the public school interests 
of the parish; he shall be of age, a qualified elector and 
resident of the parish. His salary shall be fixed by the 
parish school board, provided that in no case shall it 
be less than two hundred dollars ($200.00) nor more 
than twelve hundred dollars ($1,200.00) per annum." 

"Sec. 36. Be it further enacted, etc., That he shall 
during the year visit, once at least, each district school 
in the parish, and he shall exert his best endeavors to 
promote the cause of public school education. To this 
end he shall faithfully carry out the requirements of 
the State school law and the rules and regulations made 
for the schools by the State Board of Education." 

"Sec. 38. Be it further enacted, etc.. That it shall be 
the duty of each parish superintendent, on or before the 
tenth day of January of each year, to cause to be placed 
in the hands of the State Superintendent of Public 
Education the official report of his parish schools for 
the previous year, showing in tables an aggregate of the 
school districts in his parish, the districts in which the 
schools are taught, and the length of time taught, the 
number of children at school, the cost of tuition of each 
child per month and for the session, the number of 
private schools, colleges, and academies taught in the 
parish, and the length of the session of the same; the 
number of teachers employed, male, female, white and 
colored, the average wages of male teachers, female 
teachers, the amount of money raised for school pur- 
poses in the parish by local taxation or otherwise, and 
for what purpose it was disbursed; the number and 
kind of school houses, the actual or approximate value 
of each, the number built during the year preceding the 
report, the number of school libraries and the number 



of volumes in each and the increase during the year, and 
the amount received and expended for them." 

Teachers' Institutes. 

"Sec. 43. Be it further enacted, etc., That whereas a 
majority of the public school teachers of the State have 
not had the advantage of professional training, and 
whereas the Slate should make an effort to put this 
training within the reach of those teachers who by rea- 
son of their age, their family ties and other obstacles, 
cannot pursue the full course of the State Normal School, 
there shall be established and maintained by the State 
Institute Fund, in conjunction with the Peabody Insti- 
tute Fund, Summer Normal Schools in the State, with 
sessions of not less than four weeks." 

"Sec 44. Be it further enacted, etc., That other insti- 
tutes may be held when ordered by the State Board of 
Education or under special laws ordering such institutes 
to be held. These shall be held at any time ordered by 
authority between the first day of April and the first day 
of October. Every teacher of a common school must at- 
tend the sessions upon penalty for non-attendance, and 
if satisfactory excuse has not been rendered to the parish 
superintendent, of forfeiting two days' pay. Those ses- 
sions, i. e., those provided for by this section, shall not 
be held during a longer time than four days, during 
which there shall be vacation of the common schools of 
the parishes, to give opportunities to the teachers to at- 
tend; and no reduction of the teacher's salary shall be 
made during said vacation, provided he was in attend- 
ance the full time of the session of the institute. These 
institutes, held under this section, shall, as far as 
possible, be held in some town centrally located, and 
teachers from as many parishes as can conveniently 
attend shall be notified to attend. This notice they shall 



obey, under the penalty before mentioned. That at each 
session of the institute every subject embraced in the 
common school course shall be brought before the insti- 
tute; also, the whole work of the teacher shall be con- 
sidered, and the common school laws of the State shall 
be read and expounded." 

"Sec. 45. Be it further enacted, etc., That the State 
Superintendent of Public Education and the president of 
the State Normal School shall be a Board of State Insti- 
tute Managers, and in their discretion shall select an 
experienced institute conductor who shall have general 
charge of the summer normal work, and whose services 
shall be paid for out of the institute fund in such manner 
as shall be agreed upon by the State Superintendent of 
Public Education and the principal of the State Normal 
School." 

"Sec. 46. Be it further enacted, etc., That the mana- 
gers of the summer normal schools shall issue certificates 
of attendance to every teacher present during the whole 
of their sessions, and the parish boards of school direc- 
tors shall give preference, other things being equal, to 
the holders of said certificates in the selection of 
teachers for the public schools." 

Examinations. 

"Sec. 48. Be it further enacted, etc., That examinations 
of applicants for certificates of qualifications to teach in 
the public schools of the State shall be held on dates 
designated by the State Board of Public Education." 

"Sec. 50. Be it further enacted, etc., That before the 
examiners shall commence their examination of appli- 
cants, they shall take an oath that they will faithfully 
discharge their duties. They shall not give to any per- 
son a certificate before examining the candidate, touching 
his or her qualifications to teach, and who is not quali- 



fied to teach as required by the public school law. They 
shall be satisfied that the applicant is possessed of good 
moral character. If at any time a teacher becomes in- 
competent, inefficient, or unworthy of the endorsement 
given him or her, the parish superintendent may re- 
voke the same and notify the board of his action for its 
approval or disapproval. Any teacher may be discharged 
at any time under the above provisions, but shall be 
entitled to receive payment for services only up to the 
time of such dismissal." 

Grades of Certificates. 

"Sec. 51. Be it further enacted, etc., That to obtain a 
third grade certificate the applicant must be found com- 
petent to teach spelling, reading, penmanship, drawing, 
arithmetic, English grammar, geography, the history of 
the United States, the Constitution of the United States, 
the Constitution of the State of Louisiana, physiology, 
ami hygiene, with special reference to the effects of stim- 
ulants and narcotics upon the human system, and the 
theory and art of teaching." 

"Sec. 52. Be it further enacted, etc., That to obtain 
a second grade certificate the applicant must be found 
competent to teach all the foregoing branches, and also- 
grammatical analysis, physical geography, and elemen- 
tary algebra." 

"Sec. 53. Be it further enacted, etc., That to obtain 
a first grade certificate the applicant must be found com- 
petent to teach all the branches required for a third 
grade and a second grade certificate, and also higher 
algebra, natural philosophy, and geometry." 

"Sec. 54. Be it further enacted, etc., That a third 
grade certificate shall entitle the holder to teach for 
one year; the second grade certificate shall entitle the 
holder to teach in the public schools for three years from 



its date; a first grade certificate shall entitle the holder 
to teach for five years from its date." 

"Sec 55. Be it further enacted, etc., That special cer- 
tificates in studies of high grade may be issued on a sat- 
isfactory examination in branches to be taught in any 
special academic department, which certificates shall 
entitle their holders to special appointment in a depart- 
ment where such studies may be taught." 

"Sec 56 Be it further enacted, etc., That no person 
shall be appointed to teach without a written contract 
for the scholastic year in which the school is to be 
taught and who shall not hold a certificate of a grade 
sufficiently high to meet the requirements of the school; 
unless he or she holds a certificate or diploma provided 
for by this Act, which exempts him or her from exam- 
ination." _, . .. , 

"Sec 59 Be it further enacted, etc., That diplomas 
conferred by the Peabody Normal School, located at 
Nashville Tennessee, upon graduates of that institution, 
as also diplomas conferred by the State Normal School 
at Natchitoches, Louisiana, shall entitle the holders 
thereof to a first grade certificate, valid in any town or 
parish of this State for four years from the date ot 
graduation, at the expiration of which time certificates 
Swarded to the graduates of the Peabody Normal may 
be renewed by the State Superintendent of Public Edu- 
cation upon satisfactory evidence of the ability, progress 
and moral character of applicants asking for such re- 
newal- certificates awarded to graduates of the State 
Normal School may in like manner be renewed at the 
expiration of four years by the board of administrators 
by whom they were originally issued." 

"Sec 61 Be it further enacted, etc., That the teacher 
shall faithfully enforce in the school the course of study 
and the regulations prescribed in pursuance of law; and 



if any teacher shall wilfully refuse or neglect to comply 
with such requirements, the parish superintendent, on 
petition or complaint which shall be deemed sufficient by 
the board, may remove or dismiss him or her. Every 
teacher shall have the power and authority to hold every 
pupil to a strict accountability in school for any disor- 
derly conduct on the play-grounds of the school or during 
intermission or recess, and to suspend from school any 
pupil for good cause; provided, that such suspension 
shall be reported in writing as soon as practicable to 
the parish superintendent, whose decision shall be final; 
and provided further, that in the parish of Orleans the 
principals of schools shall suspend and report the same 
to the superintendent for approval or further action." 
Revenues. 
"Sec. 62. Be it further enacted, etc., That the State 
Superintendent of Public Education shall, in the months 
of February, June, and November, in each year, appor- 
tion the funds appropriated by the General Assembly for 
the support of the public schools of the State among all 
the parishes of the State according to the number of chil- 
dren between the ages of six and eighteen years in each 
parish; provided, that all the poll tax collections in any 
parish shall be appropriated to said parish. The amount 
so apportioned shall be paid by the State Treasurer to 
the school treasurer of each parish upon the warrant ot 
the State Superintendent of Public Education." 

"Sec. 63. Be it further enacted, etc., That the police 
jurors of the several parishes, and the boards of trustees, 
councilmen, and legal representatives of cities, towns 
and villages (except the parish of Orleans) may levy 
for the support of the public schools of their respective 
parishes a tax for the public schools which shall not 
exceed the entire State tax; provided, that with this 



13 



tax the whole amount of parish taxes shall not exceed 
the limit of ten mills parish taxation fixed by the Con- 
stitution; and provided also, that no police jury of any 
parish shall levy for the support of its schools less than 
one and a quarter mills on the dollar of the assessed val- 
uation of the property thereof. Such taxes shall be paid 
to the school treasury of the parish or town where col- 
lected, monthly by the tax collector; provided, towns not 
exempted under their charters from the payment of 
parish taxes, and subjected to the same burden of tax- 
ation as the parishes are, shall not pay this tax, for the 
same is included in the taxes imposed by the parish in 
which the town is situated." 

"Sec. 64. Be it further enacted, etc., That all fines 
imposed by the several District Courts for violation of 
law, and the amounts collected on all forfeited bonds in 
criminal cases, after deducting commissions, shall be 
paid over by the Sheriff of the parish in which the same 
are imposed and collected, to the treasurers of the school 
boards in said parishes, and shall be applied to the sup- 
port of the public schools as are applied the other funds 
levied for the purpose, the parish of Orleans excepted." 

City Schools. 

"Sec. 71. Be it further enacted, etc., That all the public 
schools of the parish of Orleans, and the property and 
appurtenances thereof, and the course of study and 
grading thereof, shall be under the direction and control 
of a board of directors. Said board shall consist of 
twenty members, eight of whom shall be appointed by 
the Governor, by and with the consent and approval of 
the State Board of Education, and twelve members there- 
of shall be elected by the city council of New Orleans." 

"Sec. 72. Be it further enacted, etc., That said board 
of directors of the public schools of the parish of Or- 



leans shall be a body corporate in law, with power to 
sue and be sued. Said board shall have control of all 
buildings, records, papers, furniture and property of 
any kind pertaining to the administration of the schools, 
and shall have management of all the public schools 
within the limits of the City of New Orleans. The said 
board shall also have power to pledge its revenue for 
the year then current, whether received from the State, 
parish, Board of Liquidation of City Debt, or otherwise, 
for the purpose of promptly paying its obligations, or 
for such other purposes as to said board may seem 
proper." 

"Sec. 73. Be it further enacted, etc., That in addition 
to the powers and duties hereinbefore granted to and 
imposed upon parish boards, the powers and duties of 
said board of directors of the parish of Orleans shall be 
as follows: 

"First. It shall adjust and fix equitably the salaries 
of teachers and janitors, also of the Superintendent, 
Secretary, employees, and of such assistant superintend- 
ents as it may deem necessary for an efficient supervi- 
sion of the schools, provided, that no salary to be paid 
by the school board under this section shall exceed the 
sum of twenty-five hundred dollars per annum. 

"Second. It shall limit the annual expenses of main- 
taining the schools to the annual revenue, and the ex- 
pense for any one month shall not exceed the one-ninth 
part of the whole amount provided for the schools. 

"Third. It shall prescribe rules for subjecting teach- 
ers or candidates for teachership to a careful competitive 
examination on all such branches as they are expected 
to teach, and no person shall be elected to a position as 
teacher without a favorable report on his moral or men- 
tal qualifications by an organized committee of examin- 
ers appointed by the board. Teachers regularly exam- 



14 



ined and elected shall not be removed from the schools 
during the time for which employed, except on written 
charges of immorality, neglect of duty, incompetency or 
malfeasance of which he has been found guilty by a ma- 
jority of the members of the board at a regular monthly 
meeting. The said board may except from said exam- 
ination any person who has passed a satisfactory exam- 
ination, as required by Act No. 23 of 1877, approved 
March twenty-sixth (26th), eighteen hundred and sev- 
enty-seven (1877). 

"Fourth. It shall elect all teachers from among the 
candidates holding certificates in the order of their 
merit, as shown by the averages attained at the regular 
competitive examinations. 

"Fifth. All certificates shall be good for five years 
and shall be graded by the said board; provided, teach- 
ers in service shall not be required to stand future exam- 
inations. 

"Eighth. It may establish, when practicable, evening 
or night schools for the instruction of such youths as 
are prevented by their daily vocations from receiving 
instructions during the day. 

"Ninth. It may establish, when deemed advisable, one 
or more normal schools for the professional training and 
improvement of candidates for teacherships, including 
in the course of instruction and training, lectures in the 
natural sciences, and on the method of teaching and dis- 
ciplining children, and the practical exercises of non- 
teaching students in model classes organized for that 
purpose by the faculty of the institution. To graduates 
of these normal schools, also to proficient students in 
the city high schools the board may, in its discretion, 
award diplomas. Graduates of these normal schools 
may be deemed preferred candidates for vacant positions 
in the city public schools. Diplomas awarded to grad- 



uates of these normal schools shall be deemed equiva- 
lent to teaching certificates of the highest grade for 
public schools; provided, that the final examinations for 
graduation from said normal school shall be conducted 
in the same manner and include the same subjects as 
the public competitive examinations required by para- 
graph three (3) of this section." 

"Sec. 74. Be it further enacted, etc., That no schooL 
director of the City of New Orleans shall receive com- 
pensation for his services as a school director." 

"Sec. 75. Be it further enacted, etc., That the said 
Board is authorized to appoint for the constant super- 
vision and periodical examinations of the public schools 
of the parish of Orleans, a competent and experienced 
educator to be designated as superintendent. He shall 
aid the directors in organizing the schools and in im- 
proving the methods of instruction therein, in examining 
candidates for teacherships, and in conducting periodical 
examinations of pupils for promotion through the re- 
spective grades of the. schools, and in maintaining general 
uniformity and discipline in the management of all the 
schools. He shall make monthly reports on the condi- 
tion and needs of the schools to his board of directors 
at their regular monthly meetings. For the information 
of the Common Council, the city school directors, and the 
public generally, he shall, on or before the fifteenth day 
of January of each year, publish a printed report, in 
book form, showing the condition and progress, and pos- 
sible improvements to be made in the public schools of 
the city, the amount and condition of the school funds, 
how the revenues have been distributed during the past 
year, the amount collected and disbursed for common 
school purposes from the general current school fund of 
the State, from local taxation or appropriation, and from 
all the other sources of revenue, and how the same was 



expended for buildings, repairs, salaries, furniture, and 
apparatus, and all other items of expenditure. The re- 
port shall show also, the number of pupils enrolled, 
male, female, white and colored, the number and loca- 
tion of school houses, the number of teachers employed 
in the various grades, in the normal, high, grammar, 
primary, and kindergarten schools; it shall contain also, 
an account of examinations held for teacherships, the 
number of certificates of each grade awarded, the names 
of applicants who received them, and generally all other 
items of information which should be contained in a re 
port upon the annual operation of the school system of 
a large city. Copies of this report shall be forwarded, 
one each, to the Governor and members of the State 
Board of Education, the State Superintendent of Educa- 
tion, the members of the Common Council of the City 
of New Orleans, members of the Board of School Direc- 
tors of the City of New Orleans, and to other officials and 
persons interested in the welfare and progress of the city 
schools. Whenever notified to be present, he shall attend 
meetings of the State Board of Education. He shall hold 
his office for the term of four years, subject to removal by 
the board for incompetency, neglect of duty or malfeas- 
ance, of which, after an impartial hearing by the board, 
he shall have been adjudged guilty. He shall be ex-officio 
a member of said board, entitled to participate in its de- 
liberations and debates, and in the examination of can- 
didates for teacherships; but he shall not cast a vote in 
the board." 



"Sec. 79. Be it further enacted, etc., That in addition 
to the duties imposed upon the parish board of directors, 
it shall be the duty of said board for the parish of Or- 
leans to present to the Common Council of the City of 
New Orleans, on the 10th day of December of each year, 
a full report of the condition of the city schools, showing 
the number of teachers and other employees and their 
salaries; the number and location of school houses, with 
the condition thereof, and the estimated cost of keeping 
all appurtenant grounds in good repair during the ensu- 
ing year, also a detailed exhibit of all receipts and ex- 
penditures of the board for the schools during the 
previous twelve months; said report shall be accompa- 
nied with a statement certified by the officers of the 
board of the daily average attendance of pupils during 
the annual session, and the average expenses per capita 
of their instruction." 

"Sec. 80. Be it further enacted, etc., That it shall be 
the duty of the Common Council of the City of New Or- 
leans, in making up their budget of annual expenses, to 
include therein the amount necessary to meet the ex- 
penses of the schools, as shown by the statement of the 
actual attendance, and the cost of instruction required 
by the preceding section, with such additional allowance 
for probable increased attendance and contingent ex- 
penses as may seem just and reasonable to the City 
Council, and to keep in good repair all school houses and 
school grounds belonging to the city." 



Tulane University of Louisiana. 



The Tulane University of Louisiana, as now consti- 
tuted, is the result of a contract entered into in 1884 by 
the State of Louisiana and the Board of Administrators 
of the Tulane Educational Fund, by which the existing 
University of Louisiana was placed under the perpetual 
care of the Tulane Administrators, with all its property, 
powers, privileges, immunities, and franchises, and with 
such other powers as might be necessary to enable them 
to "foster, maintain and develop a great University in 
the city of New Orleans." By the act, No. 43 of the Ses- 
sion of 1884, making this contract, the name of the insti- 
tution was changed to The Tulane University of Lou- 
isiana. 

The starting point of the University of Louisiana was 
the organization of the "Medical College of Louisiana," 
in September, 1S34. This institution was chartered April 
2, 1835, and in March, 183G, it issued the first degrees in 
medicine or science ever conferred in Louisiana, or the 
Southwest. The State Constitution of 1845 ordained as 
follows: 

"Art. 137. An University shall be established in the 
city of New Orleans. It shall be composed of four facul- 
ties, to-wit: One of law, one of medicine, one of the nat- 
ural sciences, and one of letters." 

"Art. 138. It shall be called the University of Lou- 
isiana, and the Medical College of Louisiana, as at pres- 
ent organized, shall constitute the faculty of medicine." 

"Art. 139. The Legislature shall provide by law for its 
further organization and government, but shall be under 
no obligation to contribute to the establishment or sup- 
port of said University by appropriations." 



The act of organization (Act of 1847, No. 49), with 
some trifling changes, was re-enacted in 1S55, and is sub- 
stantially embodied in the revised statutes of 1856 and 
1870. 

The Law Department was organized under a plan 
adopted by the Board of Administrators on May 4, 1847. 
With some intermissions it has been in operation contin- 
uously since that time. 

An effort at the inauguration of an academic depart- 
ment was made by the Administrators of the University 
at a meeting held June 1, 1847, when a committee was 
appointed "to report on the expediency of organizing the 
department of letters and natural sciences, and on the 
means that can be commanded to that effect." The 
legislature having provided no funds for the support of 
the University, suggestions were made at that time to- 
wards raising funds for the purpose. The only practical 
outcome of the effort was a donation of $500 by Glendy 
Burke and a like sum by Judah Touro, two public spir- 
ited citizens, which funds were dedicated to the estab- 
lishment of prizes in elocution and Hebrew.* 

The department closed in 1859, and the civil war inter- 
vening, no efforts were made for sixteen years to sustain 
an academic department. After the restoration of civil 
government in Louisiana in 1876, the newly appointed 
Board of Administrators determined to put in operation 
again the academic department so long contemplated. 
It was organized, and on November 4, 1878, it reopened 
its doors. The board memorialized the constitutional 



* These funds, largely augmented by accumulated compound 
interest, are still used lor the purposes intended by tbeir donors. 



conv< niion of L879, and. through its action, aid was given 
for the first time to the academic department. The con- 
stitution of 1S79 contained the following provisions: 

Concerning a State University. 

"Art. 320. The University of Louisiana, as at present 
established and located at New Orleans, is hereby recog- 
nized in its three departments, to-wit: the law. the med- 
ical, and the academical departments, to be governed 
and controlled by appropriate faculties. The general 
ably shall, from time to time, make such provisions 
for the proper government, and maintenance and sup- 
port of said State University of Louisiana, and all the 
departments thereof, as the public necessities and well 
ol the peopli ol the Stale of Louisiana may re- 
quire, im! to exceed $10,000 annually." 

Under this provision the legislature made an annual 
ol $10,000 until 1884, $50,000 in all. when it was re- 
lieved from this obligation by its contract with the Ad- 
ministrators of the Tulane Educational Fund. 

The Academic Department thus recognized and mod- 
iupported made marked progress during the six 
years of its existence before it was taken hold of by the 
Tulane Administrators. But it was seriously handi- 
capped for lack of funds, and a great development was 
not then possible. 

The greatest epoch in the educational history of tin 
State, however, was the donation by Paul Tulane, in 
1882, of. his New Orleans property for the higher educa- 
tion of "(he white young persons in the City of New Or- 
leans." Mr. Tulane was at the time a resident of Prince- 
ton. New Jersey, but had been for many years a mer- 
chant in New Orleans, where the foundation of his for- 
tune was laid. He called in consultation General Ran- 
dall Lei Gibson, United States Senator from Louisiana. 



and together they selected a board of trustees who incor- 
porated themselves under the title of "The Administra- 
tis ol the Tulane Educational Fund," and to whom Mr. 
Tulane transferred the property which he desired to 
donate to educational purposes. 

Mr. Tulane's first donation of his real estate was val- 
ued at about $3G3,000. He subsequently made other do- 
i, until the amount given by him aggregated $1,- 

050, i. yielding an annual revenue of about $75,000. It 

us expressed intention to add largely to this sum, 
but. as he died without a will, these intentions were 
never carried out. 

In 1SSI (he Board of Administrators of the Tulane 
Educational Fund were given by the legislature of Lou- 
isiana (by Act 43, of that year) complete and perpetual 
control of the University of Louisiana, and exemption 
from taxation of income producing property that might 
be acquired by the Tulane Administrators up to the 
amount of $5,000,000. 

This act was ratified at a general election in April, 
1S87, and has been later ratified in the Constitution of 
1898. The status of the University as a state institution 
has thus been fully maintained. 

In 1SS6, Mrs. Josephine Louise Newcomb, of New York 
City, whose husband, Warren Newcomb, was formerly a 
highly esteemed sugar merchant of New Orleans, do- 
nated to (he Tulane Educational Fund "the sum of $100.- 
000, to be used in establishing the H. Sophie Newcomb 
Memorial College, in the Tulane University of Louisiana, 
for the higher education of white girls and young wom- 
en." In thus perpetuating the memory of an only child, 
Mrs. Newcomb enabled the Tulane Administrators to 
round out the ideal of a University and to create an in- 
stitution that would give to women all the educational 



advantages which had before been offered by it only to 
men. 

The Newcomb College was a matter of the greatest 
personal interest to Mrs. Newcomb to the time of her 
death. She added largely to her original endowment, 
and enabled it to build the handsome group of buildings 
in which it is now domiciled. By her will the University 
is made her residuary legatee, and it is expected that a 
large addition to the endowment of the Newcomb Col- 
lege will be derived from her estate. 

In 1891, Mrs. Ida A. Richardson, whose husband, Dr. 
T. G. Richardson, had been for many years associated 
with the Medical Department of the University, as Pro- 
fessor of Surgery and Dean, and who had been one of 
the original members of the Board of Administrators of 
the Tulane Educational Fund, gave a sum sufficient to 
build a new and modern building for the Medical Depart- 
ment, on a site purchased by the Tulane Board, and to 
equip the building with every needed appliance for the 
most approved methods of instruction in Medicine and 
Pharmacy. 

During the past year, Mr. A. C. Hutchinson willed to 
the Medical Department of the University an amount 
approximating $500,000 for the erection and maintenance 
of a hospital in connection with that department. This, 
in addition to the great Charity Hospital of the State, 
will give it unrivalled clinical advantages. 

In February, 1900, Mrs. Caroline Tilton donated to the 
Tulane Administrators the sum of $50,000, for the erec- 
tion of a Library building as a memorial to her husband, 
to be known as the "F. W. Tilton Memorial Library." 
This building is a valuable addition to the splendid group 
of buildings now occupied by the academic department of 
the University. 

In accordance with the terms of Act 43, of the session 



of 1884, the Administrators give to each member of the 
State legislature the right to keep one well-prepared 
student in the academical department of the University 
without payment of tuition fees. The number of such 
scholarships is now one hundred and fifty-one. Twenty 
scholarships are open to appointees of the Mayor of New 
Orleans. More than fifty others are given by the Board 
of Administrators to well-qualified applicants. No 
worthy young man will be denied the privilege of attend- 
ing the University for lack of ability to pay the tuition 
fees. It is the purpose of the Administrators to extend 
its benefits as widely as possible with the means at their 
command. 

Location and Buildings.' 

The University, in all its departments, is located in the 
City of New Orleans. The Colleges of Arts and Sciences 
and Technology and the Graduate Department are on St. 
Charles Avenue, opposite Audubon Park, an ideal loca- 
tion, in the handsomest and most rapidly improving 
suburban residential district. The H. Sophie Newcomb 
Memorial College is located on Washington Avenue, in 
the midst of the homes of many of the most cultured and 
refined families in the city. The handsome new building 
of the Medical Department is on Canal street, corner of 
Villere, in close proximity to the great Charity Hospital, 
the unrivalled facilities of which are freely used in its 
instruction. 

The grounds of the University on St. Charles Avenue 
are extensive and admirably adapted for the purpose. 
About eighteen acres have been set apart as a campus, 
and upon this the following buildings have been erected: 
Gibson Hall, The Physical Laboratory; The Chemical 
Laboratory; a group consisting of the Mechanical and 
Electrical Laboratories, Drawing Rooms and Workshops; 



the Dormitory building and the Dining Hall; and the F. 
W. Tilton Memorial Library. 

Gibson Hall is the largest of these structures. It is of 
Bedford stone, and has a frontage of 250 feet 8 inches, a 
depth of 69 feet G inches, with basement, two stories and 
attic, making a height of 70 feet from the ground. 

The Physical and Chemical Laboratories, are of Egyp- 
tian pressed brick, trimmed with Bedford stone, each 125 
feet in length by 53 feet in depth. They were planned 
with great care and attention to detail and are unusually 
satisfactory buildings for the scientific work carried on 
in them. 

The Engineering group of buildings consists of work- 
shops and laboratories and is the most extensive in the 
Southern States. Five large rooms are devoted to draw- 
ing instruction, and five large workshops are fully 
equipped for metal work, pattern making, carpentry, 
blacksmithing and foundry work. There are also ample 
laboratories, lecture rooms and libraries for Mechanical 
Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and other engineer- 
ing departments. 

The dormitory building, as now erected, is planned to 
allow of the building of additions, either in the form of 
extensions in a line at the ends of the present houses, or 
the construction of wings running at right angles to 
them. There are three houses, each having three floors, 
and separated from its adjoining house by a brick wall 
without openings. They have been named, LaSalle, 
Bienville and Gayarre Halls, respectively. The houses 
are well constructed and nicely furnished, having water 
service throughout, beautifully tiled and finished bath 
rooms, with porcelain tubs, on each floor (nine in all), 
are heated by steam, electrically lighted, and provided 
with fire escapes. There is an abundance of light and 
air in every room. A handsome building, located near 



the dormitories has been erected and equipped as a din- 
ing hall. 

The new library building, donated to the University by 
Mrs. Caroline Stannard Tilton as a memorial to her hus- 
band, is of stone, and similar in architectural style to 
Gibson Hall. It affords ample space for the library and 
the Linton Surget Art Collection, and contains a number 
of Seminar rooms. Its acquisition marks a distinct step 
forward in the University's progress. 

The spacious grounds afford ample light and ventila- 
tion for the requirements of the various buildings. Im- 
mediately in the rear of the college campus are the ath- 
letic grounds, covering about six acres. The climate 
allows out-door exercise during the entire session. 

The grounds of the Newcomb College are in every 
respect charming. Newcomb Hall and its annexed Acad- 
emy Building are attractive within and without, and fur- 
nish ample space for offices, classrooms, library, labora- 
tories and assembly hall. 

An Art Building, about 127 feet in length, extending 
diagonally across the corner of Camp and Sixth streets 
has been erected on the College grounds. This building 
contains lecture rooms, art libraries, drawing and de' 
signing rooms, with accommodations for about 200 stu 
dents, suited to the favorable prosecution of art studies 
A new building has been provided for the work in Pot 
tery, in which are located work rooms, potter's wheels, 
kilns, etc. 

The College Chapel is a handsome stone building and 
affords seating capacity for about 500 persons. Its me- 
morial windows, by Louis Tiffany, are among the most 
beautiful in the United States. 

The Josephine Louise House, so named as a token of 
respect for Mrs. Newcomb, is located on Washington 
avenue, opposite to and facing the College. It is in the 



JO 



Florentine style of architecture, constructed of brick, 
with ornamental mouldings and carvings. It is hand- 
somely furnished throughout. Superior advantages are 
offered to boarding students. Four additional dormitory 
buildings have teen opened to meet the needs of the in- 
creasing number of boarding students. 

The Medical Department occupies its new building on 
Canal street, which was erected and equipped through 
the munificence of Mrs. Ida A. Richardson as a memorial 
of her late husband, Dr. T. G. Richardson, for so many 
years Dean of the Medical Department. Great care was 
exercised in its planning, and it is believed to be excep- 
tionally well designed for its use. 

In all its departments the University occupies twenty 
distinct buildings, all of which have been constructed in 
the past ten years and are in every respect modern in 
their design and appointments. 

General and Statistical. 

The University. — The Tulane University of Louisiana 
comprehends the following departments: the Graduate 
Department, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Col- 
lege of Technology, the H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial 
College for Young Women, the Law Department, and the 
Medical Department. 

Courses. — In the various departments there are offered 
the following courses: 

1. In the Graduate Department: Courses leading to the 

degrees of Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy; 
open to men and women. 

2. In the College of Arts and Sciences, the usual Clas- 

sical, Literary and Scientific courses, and special 
courses preliminary to medicine, law and teaching; 
open to men. 



3. In the College of Technology: Courses in Mecjianical 

and Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chem- 
ical Engineering, and Sugar Engineering; open to 
men. 

4. In the Newcomb College: Classical, Literary and Sci- 

entific courses of full college grade, for women. Ex- 
tensive courses in Art. 

5. In the Law Department: professional course in law; 

open to men and women. 

6. In the Medical Department: a full four years' course 

in Medicine, open to men, and a two years' course in 
Pharmacy, open to men and women. 

Details of all this work are given in the Annual Regis- 
ter, which will be sent on application. 

Admission. — The requirements for admission are those 
of the Association of Colleges and Preparatory Schools 
of the Southern States, of which the University is a 
member. They are the usual requirements exacted by 
the better grade institutions. (See Register.) 

Statistics. — During the current session (1903-04) the 
University has had the following number of professors 
and instructors: 

Graduate Department, 27; College of Arts and Sci- 
ences, 19; College of Technology, 23; H. Sophie New- 
comb Memorial College, 33; Law Department, 8; Medi- 
cal Department, 30; total, exclusive of duplication, 95. 

During the current session the University has had the 
following number of students: 

The University Department for Graduate-work, 35; 
College of Arts and Sciences, 86; College of Technology, 
152; Teachers' courses, 130; Newcomb, including High 
School and Art Department, 460; Law Department, 71; 
Medical Department, including Pharmacy Students, 445. 
Total, 1,379. 



The Louisiana State University. 



In 1806, 1811, and 1827, the National Congress made 
certain grants of lands "for the use of a seminary of 
learning." To utilize these grants the Louisiana Legis- 
lature founded the Louisiana State Seminary of Learn- 
ing and Military Academy in 1855, locating it three miles 
north of Alexandria in the parish of Rapides. The first 
session of this institution hegan on January 2, 1SG0, with 
Col. William Tecumseh Sherman as superintendent. Its 
work was suspended from April 23, 1863, to October 2, 
1865, on account of the ciyil war. On October 15, 1869, 
the Seminary buildings were burned, hence the institu- 
tion was moved in IJanui House, where it resumed work 
on November 1, 1869, m the large building erected for 
the Deal' and Dumb. By legislative act, approved March 
16, 1870, the name of the institution was changed to 
Louisiana State University. To utilize another dona- 
tion of land made by Congress in 1862 for the support 
of an Agricultural and Mechanical College, the Legisla- 
ture created the Louisiana State Agricultural and Me- 
chanical College in 1873, locating it at Chalmette, near 
New Orleans. In 1877, in compliance with a legislative 
act of 187G, the State University and the Agricultural and 
Mechanical College were merged into one institution 
under the legal title "Louisiana State University and 
Agricultural and Mechanical College," and temporarily 
located at Baton Rouge in the building belonging to the 
Deaf and Dumb. The permanent site of the University 
is the historic government reservation at Baton Rouge, 
occupied in 1886 with the permission of Congress, and 
owned by the institution in fee simple under a congres- 
sional act approved in 1902. It will thus be seen that 
the University has survived the vicissitudes of war, fire. 



reconstruction, and homelessness, holding aloft in those 
years of darkness the beacon of higher education, over- 
coming difficulties that threatened its very existence, 
and training young men for the political, social, and 
economic regeneration of their country. These sacri- 
fices and services have prepared the institution for that 
era of permanency and larger efficiency that began with 
the occupation of its present beautiful home. 

The University's vitality and usefulness, the pledge of 
the past : its permanent home and growing efficiency, 
the augury of the future, together promise a develop- 
ment that will enable it to satisfy fully the growing de- 
mands of a civilization based on education. Its income 
is derived from two sources — federal and state. Con- 
gressional grants of land made in 1806, 1811, 1827, and 
1862, and a congressional act passed in 1890, provide 
about two-thirds of its regular receipts. Supplementary 
appropriations are made by the state biennially for 
maintenance and improvements. Special donations of 
buildings by public spirited citizens like Wm. Garig of 
Baton Rouge, John Hill of West Baton Rouge, and the 
alumni of the University have greatly increased the 
comfort and efficiency of academic work, besides setting 
an example of private munificence that will contribute 
materially to the development of the institution. 

No statement of the University's advantages would be 
complete without, a description of the beautiful grounds 
and massive buildings, the latest gift of the national gov- 
ernment. These could not be duplicated for $400,000. 
Including the buildings erected by the state and by pri- 
vate benefactors, the University's home represents an 
outlay of more than $500,000. The L-shaped grounds, 



having an area of 210 acres, are on the first bluff above 
the Gulf. The wide portion, with an area of 53 acres 
overlooking the Mississippi River, is the campus proper; 
the narrow portion, intersected by a lake and extending 
back a mile from the river, is used by the agricultural 
department for experiment purposes. Symmetrical elms, 
magnolias, live oaks, water oaks, and pecans, and well- 
kept grass, give the campus the appearance of a beauti- 
ful park. Historic associations of international signifi- 
cance hallow this spot. France, England, Spain, and 
America have striven for and held it in turn as one of 
the commanding strongholds of the Mississippi Valley. 
It has been conspicuous in every development of the 
Louisiana purchase. No spot in the Mississippi Valley 
symbolizes so weil the history of that great territory. 

The University is organized into nineteen departments 
of instruction grouped as follows: 

The Biologic Sciences include the departments of 
botany, zoology and entomology, agriculture, horticult- 
ure, and veterinary science. The Agricultural Hall, the 
Experiment Station Laboratory, the Horticultural Build- 
ing, and the Veterinary Infirmary provide quarters for 
their work. Each department has suitable apparatus. 
charts, models, and museum specimens. Experiment 
fields furnish ample facilities for practical work. 

The Languages, including Greek, Latin, English, 
French, German and Spanish, are taught in the depart- 
ments of ancient languages, English, and modern lan- 
guages. The Hill Memorial Library and special class 
rooms in the pentagon buildings afford quarters and fa- 
cilities for their work. 

The Mathematical Sciences are in charge of the de- 
partments of mathematics, and civil engineering. The 
class room for mathematics is in Building D of the penta- 
gon group. The department of civil engineering occupies 



the second floor of Heard Hall. Both are well provided 
with facilities for their work. 

The Mechanical Sciences include the departments of 
drawing and mechanic arts, and mechanical engineer- 
ing. All of Robertson Hall, a two-story brick building 
80 by 200 feet, is used by the department of drawing and 
mechanic arts. A one-story brick building and a two- 
story frame building on the eastern side of the campus 
furnish quarters for mechanical engineering. The 
shops and laboratories of these departments are well 
equipped with suitable machinery and apparatus. 

The Physical Sciences are divided among the depart- 
ments of physics and electricity, chemistry, and geology. 
The first floor of Heard Hall is carefully designed and 
equipped for the department of physics and electricity. 
All of a two-story brick building with complete equip- 
ments is used by the department of chemistry. Quar- 
ters for geology are in the first floor of U building. 

The Social Sciences, including commerce, history, 
economics, sociology, and law, are taught in the depart- 
ments of commerce, and history and political science. 
The department of commerce is quartered in Building A 
of the pentagon group. It is carefully equipped with 
furniture and fixtures needed for practical business op- 
erations. Quarters for history and political science are 
in the Hill Memorial Library, whose contents the depart- 
ment constantly uses. 

Besides these regular college departments there is a 
Sub-Freshman Class organized and instructed for the 
benefit of young men 1G years of age and older who need 
special preparation for college work. 

The nourishing center of all departments of instruc- 
tion is the Hill Memorial Library, located in the center 
of the quadrangle. The handsome two-story brick build- 
ing contains seminar and class rooms on the first floor, 



and a reading room, a reference room, and a stock room 
on the second floor, arranged around a central rotunda. 
Twenty-three thousand volumes and selected periodicals 
for departmental and general readers furnish material 
for supplementing and enriching student work. 

The University offers the following courses of study: 

1. The Agricultural Course of four years, leading to 
the degree of B. S. 

2. The Civil Engineering Course of four years, leading 
to the degree of B. S. 

3. The Commercial Course of four years, leading to the 
degree of B. S. 

4. The General Science Course of four years, leading 
to the degree of B. S. 

5. The Latin Science Course of four years, leading to 
the degree of B. A. 

6. The Literary Course of four years, leading to the 
degree of B. A. 

7. The Mechanical Course of four years, leading to the 
degree of B. S. 

8. The Sugar Course of five years, leading to the de- 
gree of B. S.. and the Diploma of the Audubon Sugar 
School. 

9. The Short Course in Agriculture of two years, for 
which no degree is given. 

10. The Electrical Engineering Course, which will be 
begun in 1903-04 and outlined in the catalogue for 1904. 

In each of the above courses there is a certain amount 
of required work, to guarantee a symmetrical develop- 
ment of the student, while considerable opportunity is 
given for election of additional subjects. Full details of 
each course are given in the Annual Catalogue, which 
will be sent on request. 

The age of admission to the University is sixteen 
years (at nearest birthday) or over, but applicants well 



prepared for the Freshman class are received as young 
as fourteen. Applicants must be of good character, free 
from any contagious or infectious disease, and must 
show by examination or certificate proficiency in Eng- 
lish grammar and composition, mathematics including 
algebra through quadratics and two books of plane 
geometry, and any three of the following subjects: His- 
tory of the United States, Political Geography, Physical 
Geography, Physiology, Physics, Botany, and Zoology. 
Latin is included for applicants who wish to take the 
Latin Science or Literary Course. 

The faculty consists of twenty-five professors and in- 
structors, mostly young men fresh from their studies in 
the best American and European Universities, with suc- 
cessful experiences obtained by work done here and 
elsewhere. They have the training and the enthusiasm 
of specialists: many of them have done original work 
that has received wide recognition; all of them are 
keenly alive to the requirements of the University's new 
career. 

The attendance at the University has increased more 
than 500 per cent, since 188G, the year when its perma- 
nent home was occupied. 

Every part of Louisiana is represented, and eight 
states, one territory, and six foreign countries besides 
(1902-1903). The size and representative composition of 
the student body enhance the value of associations and 
friendships formed therein, a consideration of the ut- 
most importance in a civilization dependent upon co- 
operative effort. The character and esprit de corps of 
its students are matters upon which the University 
justly prides itself. 

Opportunities for self-help offered students have stead- 
ily multiplied in recent years, affording one of the best 
signs of the University's growth. In 1891-'92 there were 



three young men in attendance supporting themselves 
wholly or partly by work; during the session of 1902- 
1903 there were forty such students. These young men 
are among the best students in the institution. They 
command the respect and esteem of all, and lead in all 
social and student activities. Nothing in the University 
illustrates so well both the manliness and the fruitful- 
ness of work as the efforts of this growing body of self- 
supporting students. 

The University's advantages, summarized, are (1) a 
history full of inspiring examples and fruitful traditions; 
(2) a home whose natural beauty and historic associa- 
tions are in the highest degree educative; (3) nine 
courses of study that provide fully for liberal culture 



and technical efficiency; (4) a faculty of earnest work- 
ers who use every effort to develop the best type of men- 
tal, moral, and physical manhood; (5) a student body 
representative of every section of the state, and of other 
states and countries as well, in which social ties of ines- 
timable value are formed; (6) a growing system of self- 
help that enables an increasing number of deserving 
young men of limited means to enjoy the blessings of a 
liberal education; (7) student organizations and social 
influences that develop clean, wholesome living; (8) a 
system of discipline that cultivates methodical habits; 
(9) in fine, growth of the best sort in efficiency, in num- 
bers, in influence, and in results. 



Louisiana State Normal School. 



The most important agency for the training of teach- 
ers maintained by the State is (.he State Normal School 
at Natchitoches. In the latest session the students en- 
rolled exceeded 700, representing most of the parishes 
of the State and some coming from Arkansas, Texas 
and Mississippi. The normal buildings stand upon a hill 
overlooking the valley of Cane river, one of the channels 
of Red River, which is three miles away. This valley 
is one of the richest and most beautiful, and the school 
is located on the eminence or plateau, where the pine 
hills verge upon the alluvial lands. The grounds include 
over one hundred acres under fence, about fifty acres 
of lawns, studded with live oaks, pines, elms, cedar and 
China trees, with fine avenues of pines and Chinas, and 
fifty acres of unbroken forest pines, cleared of under- 
brush and set in grass, with drives and good paths for 
bicycles. The front lawn borders on Chaplin lake, a 
sheet of clear water about a mile and a half long. 



The buildings are situated near the middle of the 
grounds, and are about a half mile distant from the cen- 
tral portion of the town of Natchitoches. There are four 
buildings, besides the President's cottage. The matron's 
building is a large two and a half story residence, in 
Virginia style of architecture, erected for a plantation 
mansion about 1840. It has a fine gallery in front sup- 
ported by lofty columns. The rooms are very large, well 
lighted and conveniently arranged. This building con- 
tains the matron's room, reception room, the infirmary, 
two halls and five large bedrooms. 

Adjoining this is the convent building, a large two- 
story brick building, with attic, in the mission style of 
architecture, erected in 1857 for the convent of the 
Sacred Heart, at a cost it is said of $75,000. During the 
current year this building has been thoroughly recon- 
structed for the purpose of adapting it for use as the 
ladies' dormitory. It is now in better condition than 
when it was erected, is finished in natural wood, painted 



and papered throughout, and contains as comfortable 
and attractive bedrooms as are to be found in any 
school in the country. In this building are the presi- 
dent's office, the library and reading-room, two large 
halls for the literary societies, the supply room and 
thirty-five bedrooms. About 20 feet from the convent 
building is the new normal building, a handsome struc- 
ture of modern design, erected in the summer of 1895 at 
a cost of $20,000. This contains the assembly room, an 
audience room with a seating capacity of 800, ten large 
class rooms, two smaller recitation rooms, the chemical 
and physical laboratory, two dressing rooms, two cloak 
rooms, three practice school rooms and three janitor's 
closets. The new building is connected with the other 
buildings by a covered walk way. The fourth building 
is known as the dining room building. It has been re- 
constructed the past summer, being more than double in 
size, and connected with the others by double galleries. 
This contains a dining hall 58x38 feet, to accomodate 



200 persons, a large kitchen, serving room, two store- 
rooms, and on the second floor eight bedrooms and nine 
bathrooms. The president's cottage, a neat residence 
for the use of the president of the Normal School, occu- 
pies a position near the buildings. 

The school comprises two departments — the normal 
department, which has for its object to furnish scholas- 
tic and pedagogical training for the teacher's profession, 
and the practice school in which methods of teaching 
are exemplified, and in which the normal students of the 
senior class do one year of actual teaching, under the di- 
rection and guidance of the training teachers. The 
Normal course covers a period of four years, each ses- 
sion being divided into two terms of four months each. 
New Normal classes are organized at the beginning of 
each term, Oct. 1st and Feb. 1st, so that students who 
cannot attend continuously until graduation, may attend 
either term of several successive sessions, until they 
complete the course of study. 



Louisiana Industrial Institute, Kuston. 



The Louisiana Industrial Institute was created by the 
legislature of 1894, Act No. 68 of that body providing for 
the organization and support of an institution for the 
industrial education of both sexes. It is recognized in 
the Constitution of 1898 as a part of the educational 
system of the State. It opened its doors in September, 
1895, with a faculty of five members, and enrolled dur- 
ing the first session 202 students. It has now twelve 
teachers In the faculty with an enrollment of more 
than 700. Its growth in all the elements contributing to 
its usefulness and efficiency has been steady and rapid. 
Since the first session the quarters for academic and 
industrial work have been more than doubled, and the 
equipments for practical and scientific instruction have 



been increased more than tenfold. A two-story brick 
dormitory for girls has been built. 

The school is organized into the following depart- 
ments: Languages and Literature, Pure and Applied 
Mathematics, History and Civics, Biology, Physics and 
Chemistry, Mechanics, Business. Domestic Science, 
Printing, Telegraphy, and Music. The work in each is 
intensive and practical; in the higher classes it becomes 
technical. In the department of Domestic Science, sew- 
ing, cooking, domestic dairying and gardening are taught. 

The following equipments have been provided for the 
work of these departments: 

For English and History: 1,000 volumes of standard 
works; wall maps, relief maps. 



For Mathematics : Mathematical models, surveying in- 
struments. 

For Biology: Twenty-four Reichert's microscopes, one 
extra bacteriological microscope, one microtome, camera 
lucida, dissecting microscopes, reagents for microscopic 
work, rearing cages, aquarium, collection of marine in- 
vertebrates, collection of marine fishes, etc. 

For Physics and Chemistry: Thirty sets of apparatus 
for individual use, chemicals for course, analytical bal- 
ance, spectroscope, barometer (Bunsen), thermometers, 
induction coil, Edison Lalande battery, platinum cruci- 
bles, dishes and cones, graduated cylinders, flasks and 
pipettes, burettes, water baths, distilling apparatus, blast 
lamps, reagent bottles, etc., etc. 

For Drawing: Twenty drawing tables, twenty sets 
drawing instruments. 

For Mechanics: Woodshop, twelve double work 
benches, twenty-four complete sets of tools, one power 
rip and cross-cut saw combined, twelve wood-turning 
lathes, one band saw, complete assortment of special 
tools. 

Forge Shop: Twelve blast forges, twelve anvils, com- 
plete set of sledge hammers, tongs, etc. 

Machine Shop: Six engine lathes, one planer, one 
shaper, one drill press, two speed lathes, eight vises. 



sets of wrenches, taps, dies, hammers, chisels, etc., for 
constructing all kinds of machine work. 

Steam Plant: One GO-horse power Corliss Engine, one 
GO-horse power water tube boiler, one steam pump, one 
Hancock inspirator, one Crosby engine indicator, calor- 
imeters, thermometers, etc., for testing engines and 
boilers. 

For Business: Six Remington typewriters, eight com- 
plete tables for bookkeeping, office outfit. 

For Domestic Science: Five cabinet sewing ma- 
chines, cutting and fitting outfit, food charts, one steel 
range, one coal oil stove, one Aladdin oven, kitchen 
utensils, dining room outfit. 

For Printing: One Prouty news press, one Chandler 
& Price job press, one paper cutter, one stapler, complete 
assortment of type. 

For Telegraphy: Batteries, instruments and wire con- 
nections for twelve students. 

All class rooms are furnished with single desks and 
slate blackboards. 

Note. — The Louisiana Industrial Institute, though in- 
adequately represented at the World's Fair, must not be 
overlooked in forming an idea of the State's educational 
forces. Its growth has been remarkable, and it has be- 
come an excellent model of an industrial high school. 



Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute, Lafayette. 



Establishment. 

The Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute was 
created by Act 162 of the General Assembly of Lou- 
isiana, July 14, 1898. The Board of Trustees was ap- 
pointed during the year following, and in June, 1901, 
the main building, completed and equipped, was for- 
mally opened with appropriate exercises. The first ses- 
sion was held from September 18, 1901, to May 26, 1902. 



Purpose of the Institution. 

The Industrial Institute was established for the educa- 
tion of the white children of Louisiana in the arts and 
sciences. It was called "industrial" in order to empha- 
size the importance of education as a factor in the in- 
dustrial development of a State or country, and in order 
to express a recognition of the comparatively new dis- 
covery in education that the curriculums of the past 



27 



have neglected the motor and creative activities of hand 
and brain, and have not taken into account the whole 
boy and the whole girl. The name "industrial school" 
does not mean specifically trade school in a sense distin- 
guishing it from a place where art and literature and 
academic culture are in the atmosphere, nor has it any 
of the "reformatory," "house of correction," or o.ther 
sinister significance that is somehow associated with 
the word in other sections and countries. It corre- 
sponds rather to what elsewhere is understood by the 
name Manual Training School, and provides fully for 
regular academic training in the essentials nf an English 
education, as well as for shopwork in wood and iron for 
boys, sewing and cooking for girls, and stenography, 
typewriting, bookkeeping, telegraphy and other useful 
studies and exercises for both. 

The purpose of the Industrial Institute is to provide 
broad and varied courses of instruction for boys and 
girls, both in academic studies and in practical and use- 
ful arts; the better preparing each and every one for 
whatever career in life he or she may undertake. 
Location. 

The Act of Establishment provided that the institu- 
tion should be located in that part of the Thirteenth 
Senatorial District which should offer the best induce- 
ments therefor to the Board of Trustees. The people of 
the parish of Lafayette offered a self-imposed tax of 
two mills on the dollar of the assessed valuation of their 
property for ten years, supplemented by liberal appro- 
priations from the municipal corporation of Lafayette 
and from the parish, by cash subscriptions from private 
citizens, and by the private gift of a valuable site of 
twenty-five acres. This offer proved to be the best 
among several that were submitted in active competi- 
tion, and was accepted by the Board of Trustees at its 
meeting held in New Iberia, January 5, 1900. 



Buildings. 

With the resources made available by the issuance crt 
negotiatiable bonds upon the ten-year tax voted by the 
people, liberally supplemented by appropriations from 
the State, the Board was enabled to erect and equip a 
complete group of buildings, adequate to the needs of 
the most thoroughly organized secondary institution of 
learning of the present day, both for academic instruc- 
tion and for manual training. 

The Main Building is a handsome two-story brick 
structure, one hundred and sixty-three feet long by sixty- 
five feet wide, with an eight-foot basement and two 
large rooms, forty feet by sixty-five, on the attic floor. 

The Dormitory for Girls is also a two-story brick 
building, one hundred and forty feet in length by fifty- 
eight feet in width, and of sufficient capacity to accom- 
modate eighty persons. 

The Workship is a single-story frame building pro- 
tected by a covering of galvanized iron, and is of the 
general dimensions of one hundred feet by twenty-five, 
with a boiler and engine room, pump room and fuel 
room adjacent. It contains full equipment for work in 
wood and iron. 

A neat and substantial two-story frame residence for 
the President of the Institute has been erected near the 
main building on the grounds. 

Regular Courses. 

The Institute offers six regular courses of study, one 
academic and five industrial, as follows: 

1. The Academic Course. 

2. The Manual Training Course. 

3. The Course in Domestic Science. 

4. The Course in Stenography and Typewriting. 

5. The Commercial Course. 

6. The Course in Telegraphy. 



The academic course extends through four years, and 
is intended both to give the students a well rounded sec- 
ondary education and also to prepare them for the more 
advanced studies of the college and the university. 
With the third year the academic course branches into 
two sub-courses, the Latin and the French. 

In each of the five industrial courses the students de- 
vote a third of their school time to the industrial or 
manual training branches. The courses in domestic sci- 
ence and manual training each extend through three 
years; the course in stenography and typewriting re- 
quires two years, and the commercial course one year. 
In nearly all of these courses two minor subjects are 
required and two are elective. The required subjects 
are mostly mathematics and English, since these are 
the most necessary and important educational subjects 
for thore pursuing industrial branches. The elective 
subjects may be chosen from the remaining studies in 
the curriculum, subject to the approval of the President. 
Requirements for Admission. 

Candidates for admission to the first-year class must 
be fourteen years of age, or older, and prepared for a 
simple entrance examination in reading, writing, spell- 
ing, arithmetic to percentage, elementary geography and 
history. A certificate from the principal of an officially 
approved high school, or from such other schools as have 
been accredited upon investigation, showing that the 
candidate has done satisfactory Sixth Grade work, will 
be accepted for entrance in lieu of an examination. The 



entrance requirements have purposely been made thus 
easy in order to give the greatest opportunity to the 
greatest number; students not thoroughly prepared for 
the first year's work will find it possible to remain in 
the school only through the most faithful and diligent 
effort. 

Students of more advanced standing may enter any 
class for which they are qualified, upon presenting sat- 
isfactory evidence. 

Successful applicants for admission may enter at any 
time during the session, but the most suitable time is 
at the beginning of the term — that is, at the opening of 
the school, in September. 

All applicants must give satisfactory evidence of good 
health and good moral character. 

Tuition is free. 

Graduation. 

Students satisfactorily completing the academic 
course will receive the regular diploma of the Institute 
authorized by the State. Completion of the manual 
training or domestic science course entitles the student 
to a special diploma. The course in bookkeeping and 
stenography lead to the Institute certificates. 

Candidates for graduation must have been in attend- 
ance at the Institute during at least one whole session; 
the remaining portion of the several courses — or its 
equivalent — may be done at other institutions. 

No fees are charged for graduation, diplomas, or cer- 
tificates. 



Louisiana State Institute for the Deaf and Dumb, Baton Rouge. 



Until 1852, the deaf children of Louisiana were sent 
to the Danville, Kentucky, Institute, at the expense of 
the State. 

By an act of the Legislature, approved March 18th, 



1852, the Board of Managers "purchased the property 
heretofore known as the 'Baton Rouge College,' together 
with three other squares of ground lying immediately 
back of, or east of said property, with the exception of 



three lots, for the price and sum of six thousand, three 
hundred and ninety-five ($0,395.00) dollars. The price 
paid for the same, we are happy to say, is reasonable, 
and the location at the lower end of the corporation, pos- 
sessing a beautiful and commanding view of the river, 
render it, in the opinion ot the Board, for such an insti- 
tution, one of the most desirable in the City of Baton 
Rouge." Thus ran the first words in the first annual 
report of the administrators. 

The members of the first Board were: Gen. Jos. Ber- 
nard, president; William S. Pike, secretary and treas- 
urer; Dr. B. P. Harney, Col. Nolan Stewart, Major James 
N. Brown, Dr. Thomas J. BufQngton, and Major Augustin 
Duplantier. Of these, only one. Dr. Buflington, is alive. 

Mr. James S. Brown, M. A., was the superintendent 
during the infant days of this institute. Thirteen pupils 
was the first record in attendance on the Sth of Decem- 
ber, 1852. 

Prom this year the preparatory arrangements, as well 
as .the progress of the school, went along nicely — the 
Board of Administrators, and all connected with the 
school, showing the highest enthusiasm. At the outset 
Superintendent Brown maintained the advantage of 
having the deaf and blind together, affirming that the 
former in their intercourse with the latter improve 
themselves in the general use of language, the most 
important part of their education. 

Mr. Martin H. Hanson, a deaf mute, was Mr. Brown's 
first assistant. 

In 1854, as a compliment due to the founder of this 
Institute, the trustees ordered a large portrait of Mr. 
Richardson to be hung in the reception room. It was 
the exhibition of this portrait that called forth the fol- 
lowing remarks: 

"On the 18th of March, 1852, Gov. Walker approved 
and signed a bill appropriating $25,000 for establishing 
a Deaf and Dumb Institute at Baton Rouge. This bill 



originated with the Hon. F. D. Richardson, and from 
whose influence, popularity and pure intentions united 
with industry and eloquence, he was enabled to triumph 
over his opponents and pass the bill by a large majority. 
The building, now nearly completed, never fails to at- 
tract the attention of every traveler that passes the 
capital, and in its unadorned beauty towers with simple 
grandeur over the laborious details that deck the Gothic 
structure of our State House. The admiration of our 
acquaintances, the respect of our neighbors, the love of 
our friends, are things which all men covet and admire, 
and though they are all abundantly bestowed on Mr. 
Richardson, and surely give him pleasure, we doubt if 
they can give him that consolation which he receives 
from the blessings of those who feel that through his 
agency they are much relieved of those misfortunes 
which chance has inflicted upon their sinless lips." 

For the erection of the stately building that now 
stands as a beautiful and useful ornament to our State, 
$350,000 was at different times appropriated. Slowly but 
steadily did the school grow. 

In 1800 Mr. Brown was removed, and the entire corps 
of instructors resigned. Mr. A. K. Martin, then the su- 
perintendent of the Mississippi School, was appointed 
in his place. 

At the commencement of the war the number of 
pupils (both deaf and blind) was 77. During the struggle 
the list dwindled down to 25 or 30. "For several months 
the school was left to its own resources, and all were 
supported by the products of cakes, etc., made in part 
by the girls and sold by the little boys, and by the sale 
of vegetables from the garden, and by means advanced 
by benevolent individuals. When these resources failed, 
rations were received from the Federal authorities, which 
continued until I860, when they evacuated other build- 
ings, the larger portion of which they had been using 
since January, 1863, for hospital purposes. The Legis- 



lature of 1865 made an appropriation of $18,000 for the 
benefit of the institute, but owing to the depleted con- 
dition of the treasury, very little of it could be drawn, 
and the institution continued in a crippled, discouraging 
state. In the succeeding year more life and spirit was 
breathed into our affairs, and since that period the insti- 
tution has Deen steadily going forward in its benevolent 
mission." — A. K. Martin. 

In 18G7 arrangements were made with the Board of 
Trustees of the Mississippi School, Drs. Poindexter and 
Cabaniss and Judge Porter, to have the pupils of that 
State in ours, their building having been burned down. 
The Legislature of that State agreed to pay $250 a year 
per pupil. 

In 18G9, the Board of Administrators, with J. A. 
McWhorter as superintendent, yielding to the recom- 
mendation of Gov. H. C. Warmoth, gave half of the build- 
ing for the use of the State Seminary and Military 
Academy. With the growth of these institutions the 
buildings became crowded. The blind were removed to 
other quarters in 1871, and this resulted in the provision 
for them, by law, of a separate institution. This re- 
moval of the blind only paved the "way for forcing an 
exclusive removal of the deaf, and, finally, to result in 
the ostensible temporary occupation by the State Uni- 
versity of our buildings, planned and erected for our 
peculiar wants, being made permanent." 

The deaf were removed to the building known as the 
"Hermann Building," almost in the heart of the city. 
This dingy old structure soon became overcrowded. 
Small frame cottages were erected around it and were 
used as boys' dormitories. They remained in this un- 
comfortable condition until 1S77. During all this time 
the Board of Trustees was keeping an eye on the build- 
ings originally erected for the deaf and were endeavor- 
ing to re-possess them. They were finally rewarded in 
1887, when the University was removed to the United 



States Garrison. Governor Samuel D. McEnery ordered 
the institution restored to its original buildings in the 
summer of that year. 

The two institutes, one for the deaf and the other for 
the blind, which had for nearly twenty years been sup- 
ported as independent institutions, were by the Legisla- 
ture of 18SS combined under one management. A pro- 
viso was, however, added to the act by which the two 
were combined for restoring, on a specified condition, 
the separate organization of the "School and Industrial 
Home for the Blind." That condition was met by the 
purchase of a property and the erection of a building at 
an outlay of $30,000, without cost to the State. 

The great storm of the' 19th and 20th of August, 1888, 
did great damage to the buildings. Eight thousand 
dollars were borrowed from the Louisiana National Bank 
and the Canal Bank of New Orleans. The Board of 
Trustees pledged the sum of $5,400 in warrants, which 
had been appropriated by the Legislature for repairs. 

Our present superintendent. Dr. John Jastremski, took 
hold of the reins in 1S84, and since then our school has 
been steadily increasing its breadth of usefulness. 

For several years Dr. Jastremski caused canvasses to 
be made and has succeeded in making the institution 
known far and wide over the State, and the result is a 
larger and larger attendance every year, for parents are 
coming to see their moral obligations to their afflicted 
children. We may reasonably expect an enrollment of 
130 during the next two years. But the best estimation 
of the healthy growth of the school can be seen in rbe 
foundation of the Industrial Department, which was 
begun in 1S90, when the superintendent recommended to 
the General Assembly the following: 

"The industrial training of the deaf mute is a matter 
of prime importance, for upon this depends his means 
and facilities of earning a livelihood. It is more import- 
ant than for those possessed of all their senses. The 



deaf mute must be more perfect in his work in order to 
compete with the man endowed with all his faculties, 
as preference is always shown to those that accomplish 
with the most exactness that which is expected of them. 
In view of this fact it becomes my most important duty 
to call your attention to cur lack of proper appliances, 
to urge upon you most strenuously the necessity of pro- 
viding this institution with furniture and shoe shops. 
The boys in learning these trades would assist in keep- 
ing the buildings and outhouses in repair and assist in 
the mending of the pupils' shoes. This addition could 
be made with only a small outlay of money, and would 
almost be self-sustaining." 

In 1892 industrial training received its fullest impetus, 
for, in addition to the classes in sewing and printing, 
the carpenter and cabinet shop and the shoe shop were 
put in running order. As time passed on improvements 
were made, such as giving the carpenter shop the build- 
ing formerly used by the blind as a broom shop, when 
they were located on these premises. If the ratio of 



increase in the number of pupils keeps on, this industrial 
department will certainly have to be enlarged. Out in 
the busy walks of life, we have graduates making a 
success in the vocations they learned here. 

Since 1892 numerous improvements have been made, 
notably the establishment of an infirmary, with modern 
conveniences; the construction of an iron railing on 
the south, west and north fronts of the grounds; new 
improvements for the printing office, the workshops, the 
culinary department, dining room, dormitories, etc.; 
sewerage has been laid, and painting and other repairs 
to the buildings have been done, by which the institu- 
tion has kept pace with the best conducted in other 
States. 

This year there are eleven instructors, including those 
in the industrial department. 

Since its foundation, eighty-one gentlemen have served 
the institution as members of the Board of Trustees. It 
has had six superintendents, forty-two instructors, eight 
matrons, six physicians. 



Southern University & Agricultural & Mechanical College, New Orleans. 



The Constitutional Convention of the State of Lou- 
isiana, in 1879. in its wisdom, established in the City of 
New Orleans an institution to be devoted to the higher 
education of persons of color, to be entitled the "South- 
ern University." 

The support of this institution was secured by consti- 
tutional provisions, entitling it to an annual appropria- 
tion for its current expenses by the State Legislature, 
of not more than ten thousand dollars, nor less than five 
thousand dollars. 

At the session of the General Assembly of Louisiana, 
in April, 1880, an act was passed "To establish in the 
City of New Orleans a university for the education of 



persons of color; and to provide for its proper govern- 
ment." 

On the 3rd of March, 1S81, the "Act of Incorporation 
or Charter" was signed by I. N. Marks, George H. Fayer- 
weather, S. D. Stockman, Edwin H. Fay, John J. Carter, 
Robert H. Jones, J. B. Wilkinson, M. D., T. T. Allain, 
Zebulon York, N. C. Blanchard, John S. Billieu, and W. 
Sanders, as incorporators. The same body of men com- 
posed the first Board of Trustees. 

Although this charter was gotten out in March, 1881, 
we find that the school was in existence half a year or 
more previous to that date. For, on October 10th, 1880, 
the Board of Trustees held a meeting and passed laws 



designating the proper officers of the faculty of the 
school. And another meeting was held December 1st, 
1880. 

The school started in a very slow way at first and 
continued at that pace for some years. 

When the act was passed by the Legislature estab- 
lishing the school, through some oversight, the idea 
seemed not to occur to any one that a building would 
be necessary in which this school should hold its daily 
sessions. A building was essential. The Board of Trus- 
tees did about the only thing it could do under the cir- 
cumstances. Money annually appropriated to pay teach- 
ers' salaries was applied to secure the first essential — 
a school building, although a number of the teachers 
had to be dispensed with. 

A building was purchased on Calliope street, New 
Orleans, and as much money as could be spared was 
paid toward the same, while a mortgage was given on 
the house for the rest. Annual payments were made 
from the teachers' fund to liquidate this debt. But it 
necessitated a lack of teachers and the holding back 
of the school. 

The first president of the school was one of its trus- 
tees — Mr. George H. Payerweather (colored). He held 
the office for one year. 

President Fayerweather was succeeded by Dr. C. H. 
Thompson, a colored Episcopal minister. He occupied 
the position for one year also, when the Board of Trus- 
tees concluded to apply to the trustees of Vanderbilt 
University, Nashville, Tenn., for recommendation of one 
of their graduates to take the position. Rev. J. H. Har- 
rison, a graduate of the Vanderbilt University, took 
charge of the university in the fall of 1883, as its presi- 
dent. Professor 'Harrison possessed the intuitions and 
correct training of the true teacher. The school made 
a very decided advance under President Harrison's man- 
agement. The Girls' Industrial Department and Chem- 



ical and Physical Departments had their beginning under 
his administration and direct promotion. The grade of 
the school was generally raised. President Harrison 
remained in charge three years and then resigned and 
returned to Tennessee. 

The next president of the school was Rev. George W. 
Bothwell from northwest Ohio. Mr. Bothwell was elected 
in 1886, and occupied the position of president of the 
university just one year. 

In 188C the school was moved from its quarters on 
Calliope street to its present position on Soniat and 
Magazine streets, permission having been previously 
obtained from the Legislature to sell the school's inter- 
est in the old quarters, and purchase a whole square of 
ground in the then outskirts, on Soniat and Magazine 
streets, and to build thereon the present, much more 
commodious and suitable, substantially built, three- 
story brick building. The money obtained from the sale 
of the old building was applied as part payment for the 
new. The Legislature also appropriated State warrants, 
then at a considerable discount in the market, to assist 
in paying for the new quarters. Only about $7,500 was 
realized. A debt of $12,000 at 8 per cent interest was 
left on the building and grounds. The debt was grad- 
ually reduced to $9,000 by payment from the fund for 
the salaries of the teachers. Last year it was reduced 
to $8,000, and interest reduced to 6% per cent. The 
grounds, however, in the meantime have appreciated in 
value until they are now worth over three times their 
original cost. 

The Board of Trustees then, in 1887, elected as pres- 
ident a native of Louisiana — H. A. Hill, the present In- 
cumbent. 

The greatest difficulty to overcome was the discipline 
of the school, which is now equal, if not superior, to 
that of any similar institution. 

There were no graduates in the school before 1887. 



Since, including candidates for 1903, the total from all 
departments is 253 graduations. The highest number 
for one year, 40, is in 1903. 

The university is divided into the following depart- 
ments: 

I. College. 

II. Normal School. 

III. High School (College Preparatory). 

IV. Grammar School. 

V. Department of Music. 

VI. Industrial School, Girls' Industrial School, Agricul- 
tural School, Mechanical School. 

Arrangements have been effected with the officers of 
the New Orleans public schools, by which those colored 
pupils who complete the public school course are trans- 
ferred to the grade of the university for which they 
prove themselves prepared. 

The Girls' Industrial School has trained hundreds of 
girls in the use of the needle and machine, and in the 
making of clothing and various other articles. It has 
proven a success, is very popular with the students, and 
is a department that reflects great credit on the pupils. 

The work is regularly and systematically graded, be- 
ginning with the plain and simple, and advancing to the 
costly and intricate. The pupils furnish their own 
materials. There are 153 girls in the department. Stu- 
dents in this department are thoroughly instructed in 
all manner of needle work, and in cutting and fitting. 
Those pupils who complete a course in this department 
receive a certificate stating the same. 

Professor Millard F. Mithoff, a practical mechanic of 
experience and reputation, was elected principal of the 
Mechanical School. The studies embrace both the theory 
and practice of mechanics. 

A large and substantial building, 36 by 80 feet, two 
stories high, for a mechanical building, was completed 
on the grounds of the university. This building was 
fitted up with work benches of the most improved pat- 



34 



tern (made in the building), a complete outfit of tools 
for each bench and later on, a steam engine with shaft- 
ing, pulleys, grindstones, turning lathes, band and scroll 
saws, etc., all run by steam, was added. Fifty-three boys 
are at present working in this department. A tin-shop 
has been added which has 52 boys in training. 

An excellent farm of over one hundred acres of tilla- 
ble land has been purchased by the Governor with an 
appropriation of eight thousand dollars made by the 
Legislature of the State in 1895. It is in operation 
near the upper suburbs of New Orleans, and fronting 
on the Mississippi River. The place has been stocked 
with teams and implements necessary for the cultiva- 
tion of the various agricultural products of Louisiana. 

Some dormitories for agricultural students and a room 
for class exercises have been erected on the farm. The 
farm is used, in connection with class recitations of 
pupils of the university in agriculture and agricultural 
chemistry, to systematically and scientifically cultivate 
every important field and vegetable crop of Louisiana. 
A few other crops are cultivated experimentally. The 
pupils are taught theoretical, scientific farming in classes 
and the result is shown in the practical application in 
the fields. The soil is analyzed in the chemical labora- 
tory of the university and its deficiencies supplied on 
the farm. There have been erected on this farm hog- 
yards and houses, poultry-yards and poultry-houses 
which have been stocked with the best breeds. Water 
piping has been laid over the grounds and a wind-mill 
pumps the water. 

A Dairy school was opened on the farm at the begin- 
ning of the session of 189G-97, with a two-years' course 
in dairying. Twenty-one graduates have gone out from 
this department. 

The university is supported by an" annual appropria- 
tion by the State Legislature, supplemented by an ap- 
propriation from the United States Government for the 
Agricultural and Mechanical Department. 



Soule Commercial College and Literary Institute, New Orleans. 



This institution was established in 185G by Geo. Soule, 
who is still its president. 

The new Soule College Building (erected 1903) is sit- 
uated at the southwest corner of St. Charles and Lafay- 
ette streets, opposite the City Hall, and overlooking the 
beautiful Lafayette Square. It is owned and occupied 
exclusively by Soule College for its own educational pur- 
poses, and is a beautiful four-story building, constructed 
of pressed colonial red brick, with white terra cotta 
base, trimmings and ornamentation. 

The style of the building is very imposing, and is con- 
sidered by competent critics to be one of the most at- 
tractive edifices in New Orleans. 

The building is surmounted by a very ornamental 
clock tower, which contains one of the most remarkable 
clocks in the country. The main feature of the college 
clock is a mechanical device that regulates the appear- 
ance and disappearance, every half hour, of a life-size 
automaton, dressed as a college student, with cap and 
gown. This figure rings the large tubular bell or chime 
every half hour, and it is this feature which makes the 
clock one of the most novel time-pieces in the world. It 
is provided with an illuminated dial. The clock tower 
is crowned by the figure of a large owl, the bird of wis- 
dom, in white terra cotta. 

First Floor. 

The entire lower floor is beautifully tiled with Italian 
and Georgia marble, and marble wainscoting extends the 
entire length of both entrance halls. The three rooms 
on the right of the public entrance are reserved tor 
the college offices, and embrace a general reception office, 
president's office and private office. 

Opposite the college offices, across the entrance hall. 



are the ladies' reception room and ladies' lunch room. 
A great deal of space has been allotted to the lady 
students. Their needs and comforts have been most 
carefully considered. 

The Ladies' Lunch Room is amply provided with 
chairs and tables and umbrella stands and separate cab- 
inets for keeping lunch baskets. The ladies' reception 
room, which overlooks the beautiful Lafayette Square, 
is supplied with comfortable modern furniture. Reading 
matter is provided and the ladies' reception room of 
Soule College is the most pleasant and attractive room 
of its kind in the city. 

To the right of the gentlemen's entrance is the large 
college stock room, containing the college publications, 
book plates, and the stationery supplies for the college 
store. 

Opposite the stock room is a large and convenient 
bicycle room, adjoining which is the boiler room, con- 
taining a complete hot water heating plant. The gen- 
tlemen's waiting room is located next to the stock room. 
It is provided with book shelves and comfortable settees. 
The men's lavatory is at the extreme end of the building 
on the lower floor and is one of the most complete and 
sanitary lavatories in the city. A special janitor is in 
constant attendance to supply clean towels and soap to 
the students. 

Second Floor. 

The second floor of the building is entirely reserved 
for the Shorthand and the Typewriting Schools, and the 
General Assembly hall. 

The Shorthand School embraces five rooms, devoted 
exclusively to shorthand instruction, and shorthand dic- 
tation with accompanying lessons in English, etc. The 



Typewriting School has very convenient separate quar- 
ters on the same floor. The shorthand and typewriting 
grammar classes meet in the Assembly Hall. 

This separation of rooms avoids all confusion, facili- 
tates individual instruction, insures proper student clas- 
sification, and thus guarantees the most rapid progress 
to each student. 

The Ladies' Hat and Cloak Room 

is located on the second floor. The ladies lavatory is 
also on the second floor, and is in charge of a maid, at 
all hours. This convenience is much appreciated by the 
ladies. 

The General Assembly Hall 

is very conveniently located on the second floor. It is 
adequately equipped for all lecture purposes. Com- 
fortable settees seat nearly 600 students, and the ele- 
vated stage gives a good view of the lecturer at all 
times. The acoustic properties are excellent. Large 
cases contain valuable apparatus for illustrating lectures 
on Commercial Law, Finance, Physiology, Phrenology, 
Astronomy, etc. 

Third Floor. 

The third floor is occupied by the Advanced Commer- 
cial Department, the Business Practice Department, the 
Soule College Store, the Soule College Bank, and the 
Wholesale, Real Estate and Insurance Offices known as 
the Merchants' Exchange. 

Between the Advanced Commercial Department and 
the Business Practice Department, the Soule College 
Store is located. This store constitutes the actual busi- 
ness department, and students of the Commercial School 
serve by turn in the store work. Actual goods and actual 
cash are handled by the student bookkeepers and sales- 
men. ' 



Fourth Floor. 

The fourth floor is devoted to the three English 
schools and the Initiatory Bookkeeping Department. 

The Initiatory Bookkeeping Department occupies the 
first room, and includes the entire St. Charles street 
frontage. The light and ventilation are perfect. Ad- 
joining the Initiatory Commercial, is the Higher English 
room. It is a very well arranged class room and is spe- 
cially adapted to the grade of work done in the Higher 
English School. 

There is a large spare room next to the Higher Eng- 
lish that is held in reserve for emergencies. On the op- 
posite side of the hallway, the Academic and Interme- 
diate Schools have most comfortable quarters. The 
Intermediate English room is well supplied with modern 
desks, recitation settees and blackboards. The Academic 
School occupies the large room opposite the Interme- 
diate English. It is fitted up with beautiful cherry 
desks of the most approved style. 

Soule College, as it exists to-day, comprises the fol- 
lowing schools on the eclectic or graded plan, as may be 
desired: 1. An Intermediate English School for stu- 
dents from 9 to 12 years of age. 2. A Higher English 
and Grammar School. 3. An Academic- or Secondary 
School. 4. An English Night School for Working Boys. 
5. A thoroughly appointed Shorthand and Typewriting 
School. 0. A high grade full course Commercial School 
with superior equipments, business offices, bank, store, 
etc. All these schools have separate rooms and each 
has a separate staff of faithful and efficient teachers. No 
superficiality, no smattering and no cramming are al- 
lowed in any school of Soule College. All known and 
approved methods of developing the mind and of in- 
creasing the energies and the potency of its faculties 
are employed. 



Home Institute 

The Home Institute of New Orleans, an English and 
Classical School for Young Ladies and Children, is an 
institution the present status of which is the outcome 
of a steady and progressive development. 

The first stage of the Home Institute was that of a 
primary school. This school was founded by the present 
principal of the Institute, Miss Sophie B. Wright, in 
January, 1S82. 

The primary school met with such steady and gener- 
ous support as to warrant the establishment of a high 
grade institution, and, accordingly, in 1889, the Home 
Institute was incorporated under the laws of the State 
of Louisiana, with power to award diplomas and to 
confer degrees. 

The success of the Home Institute is, in no small de- 
gree, due to the fact that its basic purposes are laid 
deep' in those principles which tend to the truest de- 
velopment of womanly character. 

That education is the truest and best which unfolds 
the potential faculties of the child into an harmonious 
perfection. In this ideal education, Christian influence 
is an important factor, and therefore, one of the constant 
purposes of the school is to weave this influence into 
the character of the pupils. 

The present high grade curriculum of the school is 
the result of much care, thought and long and practical 

experience. „.,**. u * *i 

Arithmetic and Grammar are studied throughout the 

entire course because experience has demonstrated the 

fact that these essentials are too often neglected in 

the high school grades. 

French Latin, German and Spanish are taught as part 

of the regular course, that is, no extra charge is made 

for any or all of these languages. 



of New Orleans. 

The Art Course embraces a practical and thorough 
study of Free Hand Drawing, Painting and Modeling. 
Lectures are given on Composition, Prospective and 
Artistic Anatomy. Students who so desire are prepared 
for teaching and diplomas are awarded them. 

Competent lecturers are engaged from time to time 
; to give "Studies from Shakespeare." 

An important feature of the school is the Normal 
Course, in which one year's tuition is offered free to 
all graduates. This course offers advanced work for 
those who desire to teach. Or if they so desire, grad- 
uates may take a thorough business course, including 
Bookkeeping, Stenography and Typewriting. 

There are daily gymnastic exercises from which no 
student can be excused unless by a physician's certifi- 
cate. 

In fact, the entire work of the school is based upon 
practical principles and the wisdom of its methods has 
been attested by gratifying results. 

The boarding department is limited in order that the 
spirit and influence of true home life may be combined 
with proper discipline. 

The majority of the Southern States are represented 
upon the attendance roll and for several sessions past 
boarding pupils have been entered from Mexico, Central 
America and Cuba. 

Another factor in the success of the school is the 
personal contact, influence and association of the teach- 
ers and the students. 

Cordial co-operation, earnest sympathy and intellec- 
tual companionship are the influences which are mutual 
aids of the leaders and those who are led. 

Class societies are an important feature in the school 
life and they have been found to be the conservers of 

37 



much of the loyalty which operates as a vital element 
in the success of the institute. 

The thorough and perfect discipline for which the 



Home Institute is noted is, in no small measure, the 
result of the inculcation of principles of self-control and 
of upright conduct. 



Ursuline Academy, New Orleans. 



This establishment for the education of young ladies 
;s the most ancient in the United States, having been 
founded in 1727, under the auspices of Louis XV, King 
of France. 

The brevet received from this monarch and many 
other interesting documents, all bearing testimony to the 
high esteem in which the community was held during 
French and Spanish rule in Louisiana, are still preserved 
in the archives of the Monastery. Even after the horrors 
of the Revolution in France, the government of that 
country failed not to recognize the good wrought by the 
zeal of the Ursulines, in teaching the youth of all classes 
how to become exemplary daughters, wives, and mothers. 

In the years immediately following the Louisiana Pur- 
chase, Presidents Jefferson and Madison addressed to 
the Ursuline Ladies letters expressive of their apprecia- 
tion and esteem. 

While sacredly preserving the spirit of piety and zeal 
which animated their venerable predecessors, and which 
served to render them so successful in educating the 
youth of Louisiana and the adjacent States, the Ursu- 
line Ladies of the present day have deemed it their duty 
to adopt the most approved methods of imparting knowl- 
edge. 

The new convent, to which the community removed 
in 1824, is situated on an extensive plantation about two 
miles below New Orleans. The establishment is so very 
large, that many have affirmed that had they not visited 
It, they could not have formed a just estimate of its 



vastness, or of the various advantages it possesses for 
educational purposes. 

Course of Studies. 

The programme of studies in this institution has been 
modified as often as required, to correspond to the pro- 
gress of the times and the demands of society. At pres- 
ent it embraces French and English Grammar, Rhetoric, 
Literature, Logic, Ancient and Modern History, Geog- 
raphy, Astronomy, Arithmetic. Algebra, Geometry, Trig- 
onometry and Bookkeeping, Physics, Botany, Geology, 
Physiology and Chemistry. Lessons in Penmanship, 
Reading and Elocution are daily given. 

The Academy possesses a library containing over four 
thousand volumes, philosophical and chemical appara- 
tus, a telescope, a large assortment of the most improved 
globes and maps, and a fine collection of minerals, etc., 
etc. 

N. B. — Among other advantages, the system of teach- 
ing adopted offers the following peculiar one, viz: the 
French and English languages both receive equal atten- 
tion, being taught not only by theory, but by practice. 
The recreation hours are alternately superintended by 
American and French religieuses. and, during these 
hours, the pupils are required to converse in the lan- 
guage of the sister who presides. Consequently, the 
young ladies who observe this point of their rule, and 
follow the course of grammar and literature adopted in 
the establishment, acquire a thorough knowledge of 

* The Oldest School in the Louisiana Purchase. , 



38 



"both languages, and speak them with fluency and ele- 
gance. 

Musical Department. 

This department is conducted by competent professors, 
whose pupils rarely, if ever, fail to attain a high degree 
■of proficiency both in the theory and practice of music. 
Concerts are given from time to time, and, on these oc- 



casions, all those who learn music are required to 
execute the pieces indicated by their professors. 
Drawing and Painting. 
Special attention is given in the Art Course, which 
embraces free-hand work from cast and nature; copying 
in crayon, sepia and India ink from models representing 
landscapes, fruits, flowers, etc. Pastel, oil and water- 
color studies; oriental painting on satin, silk, etc. China 
painting, etc. Gilding and firing done at the institution. 



Holy Cross College, New Orleans. 



This institution was opened in 1879, under the name 
of "St. Isidore s College," and was chartered by an act 
of the General Assembly of the State of Louisiana, June 
20th, 1S90. It was then, and still continues to be, con- 
ducted by the members of the "Congregation of the Holy 
Cross," a community composed of Priests and Brothers, 
who devote themselves to the education of young men 
and boys, preparing them for the learned professions, 
and for commercial pursuits. 

In the year 1895 it was determined to begin the erec- 
tion of new and more commodious buildings, and on the 
8th of September,. 189C, the main building of the new 
college was solemnly blessed by the Most Rev. Francis 
Janssens, D. D., Archbishop of New Orleans, and the 
name changed to "Holy Cross College" as being more 
in keeping with the original charter of the Congregation. 

The college buildings are within the limits of the 
"Crescent City," situated on rising ground overlooking 
the Mississippi, and while central, are retired, and un- 
surpassed for health. The main building is new and 
•complete in its appointments. The play grounds are 
spacious and beautiful, the fragrant Magnolia and other 
trees affording a grateful shade, while the refreshing 



breezes from the Gulf are almost continually wafted 
along the bosom of the "Father of Waters" rendering 
this an ideal home for the student. Beyond the college 
property are delightful promenades, extending along the 
levee to the United States Barracks, about a mile distant, 
thence to Jackson's Monument and the historic Chal- 
mette, where was fought and won one of the most mem- 
orable battles recorded in the annals of the world, and 
commonly known as the "Battle of New Orleans." 

The aim of the institution is to give its pupils a thor- 
ough education. The system of education is practical, 
calculated to form both the heart and the intellect of 
the student. The regular courses comprise all that is 
requisite for either a finished classical, literary or com- 
mercial education. The program of studies has been 
carefully graded, and the text books of the various 
classes are by authors of acknowledged merit. The 
right moulding of character, and the gradual develop- 
ment of the mental and moral faculties need constant 
and vigilant care, and the members of the Congregation 
of Holy Cross have made this great task their life- 
work. Experienced teachers are employed in the various 
departments. 



39 



Commercial Course. 

Particular attention is given to the Commercial Course, 
and when the character and needs of the country are 
considered, it will appear the most practical and one of 
the most important that an educational institution can 
offer. 

The routine of study in the course of Bookkeeping 
embraces the following: Preparatory Instructions and 
Definitions; Initiatory Sets by Double Entry, embracing 
the Buying and Selling of Merchandise on Private Ac- 
count; on Account of Others; Buying and Selling the 
same on Joint Account; Importing and Exporting on 
Private Account, on Account of Others, and on Account 



ot Ourselves and Others in Company; Receiving and 
Forwarding Merchandise, the Management and Settle- 
ment of Executors' Accounts, Buying and Selling, Re- 
mitting, Collecting. Discounting, Accepting and Paying 
Bills of Exchange, Banking — Private and Joint Stock — 
Steamboating, Railroading, Retailing by Double Entry, 
Farming, Mechanics' Accounts. Particular attention is 
paid to the explanation of the Law of Negotiable Paper. 

Elementary Studies. 

Students not prepared to enter the foregoing course, 
are carefully instructed in Reading, Writing, Spelling, 
the first principles in Arithmetic, Grammar, etc., until 
they are able to follow a regular course. 



Other Schools in the State. 



In addition to the State institutions sketched above, 
most of whom have exhibits at the World's Fair, there 
are many private and denominational schools in the 
State, each doing good work in proportion to its oppor- 
tunities and facilities. There are a large number of 
institutions conducted by the various Catholic orders, 
such as the Jesuits, the Marists, the Sisters of the Sa- 
cred Heart, the Dominicans, the Sisters of Notre Dame, 
etc. The Protestant denominations conduct several in- 
stitutions of good grade, notably Centenary College 
(Methodist), at Jackson; Mt. Lebanon University (Bap- 
tist) ; Silliman Collegiate Institute for Young Women 
(Presbyterian), at Clinton; Louisiana Female College 
(Baptist), at Keatchie. The State is well supplied with 
higher institutions for the education of colored youth 
of both sexes, there being in New Orleans alone four 
Universities for them. In addition to the State institu- 



tion, the Southern University and A. and M. College, 
there are three others supported by their respective 
churches: Straight University (Congregational), Le- 
land University (Baptist), and New Orleans University 
(Methodist). Several praiseworthy efforts at their in- 
dustrial training are being made at various points in 
the country districts. 

There are several excellent private academies fitting 
for colleges of the first grade, notably the University 
School, Ferrell's Academy and Rugby Academy, in New 
Orleans, and the !>ixon Academy, in Covington. 

"Educational ir'rogress" is the watchword of the pres- 
ent State administration, as it has been of those that 
have immediately preceded it, and the advance that has 
marked the past two decades will undoubtedly be accel- 
erated in those to follow. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



021 780 236 2 • 




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